Severe weather in Ohio turns deadly, multiple tornadoes reported
Authorities in Ohio confirmed several deaths in the state due to severe weather on Thursday, with at least six people reported dead as of Friday morning. The Washington Township police told WCMH that three people were confirmed dead in Lakeview, two in Midway, and one in Orchard Island.
Logan County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Joe Kopus confirmed the fatalities, stating that the fatal storm caused heavy property damage in several areas including Bellefontaine, Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island, and Russel’s Point. Witness accounts reported at least five tornadoes in Northern Ohio.
Sheri Timmers, a spokesperson for Logan County, mentioned that the suspected tornado left multiple buildings damaged in the Indian Lake area, with numerous residents believed to have suffered injuries. Nearly 20,000 electrical outages were reported across Ohio, and emergency management officials in Huron County warned of a “confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado” near Plymouth.
In addition to the devastation in Ohio, a suspected tornado touched down in Winchester, Indiana, causing significant injuries. The storm damaged a Walmart store and a Taco Bell in Winchester, with the Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter stating that there are “many significant injuries.”
The storm also affected the small town of Selma in Delaware County, where about half of the structures were damaged by a possible tornado. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported, with one individual transported to the hospital for treatment.
The severe weather left a trail of destruction in its wake, impacting multiple communities in Ohio and Indiana. The Associated Press contributed to this report.