Following Wednesday’s severe weather, the National Weather Service confirmed that three tornadoes touched down in northern Ohio.
The NWS also indicated that there may be additional surveys on Friday. These plans will be finalized Friday morning. This article will be updated as necessary.
1. OTTAWA COUNTY: Elmore Tornado
The first tornado confirmed by the NWS occurred in Elmore, Ohio, in Ottawa County. The EF-0 tornado touched down for a minute at 7:43 p.m., with peak winds of 80 mph, and covered 0.54 miles and 10 yards. The NWS reported no injuries or fatalities.
The tornado was brief, landing at the northwest corner of Ohio State Route 163 and Elliston Trowbridge Road. It harmed a metal outbuilding and demolished a grain silo. The tornado crossed Elliston Trowbridge Road, causing damage to a residence’s roof and snapping a few trees. Debris was thrown into a field beyond the house before taking off near Graytown Road.
2. OTTAWA COUNTY: Rocky Ridge Tornado
The National Weather Service also confirmed that a second tornado touched down in Ottawa County near Rocky Ridge. The damage was consistent with an EF-0 tornado, with maximum winds of 70 mph. It landed at 7:50 p.m., remained on the ground for 2 minutes and 2.94 miles, and measured 10 yards wide. The NWS reported no injuries or fatalities.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado touched down on the west side of Toussaint Portage Road and moved east, causing minor tree damage, including one that fell on a house. Another home on Toussaint Portage Road suffered minor roof and façade damage, and a window was shattered. The tornado continued northeast to Genzman Road, bringing down additional tree branches. The tornado’s intensity decreased as it moved eastward. However, the roof of a small barn on Fick Road was partially removed before lifting near Oak Harbor.
3. HURON/LORAIN COUNTY: Collins to Kipton Tornado
A third tornado touched down near Wakeman, Ohio, at 8:26 p.m. in Huron County. The EF-1 tornado remained on the ground until 8:37 p.m. before lifting near Kipton in Lorain County. According to the damage, the maximum wind speeds were 100 mph. The tornado spanned nearly ten miles (9.36 miles) and had a maximum width of 200 yards. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or deaths.
The NWS survey revealed that the tornado began near the intersection of US Route 20 and Hartland Center Road south of Collins. The tornado primarily caused tree damage along its path, with many hardwood and softwood trees snapped. Some trees and limbs fell on nearby homes, causing minor damage. Before approaching Wakeman, the tornado traveled north of US 20 on Derussey Road, Wakeman Townline Road, and Fitchville River Road.
The main circulation route avoided the Wakeman village area, with larger trees down on River Road and Ohio State Route 60 north of the village. However, strong rear-flank downdraft straight-line winds passed through Wakeman, causing some minor and less concentrated tree damage throughout the village.
The tornado continued northeast toward the Huron-Lorain County line, crossing into Lorain County near the Firelands Boy Scout Reservation. It continued across Gore Orphanage and Becker Roads, causing minor roof damage to one home and more downed trees, before dissipating.
Straight-line winds south of the main circulation were increasing at the time, causing the roof of a large barn to collapse and several large trees to be uprooted on Bates Road. These winds continued across Henrietta Township.
The Enhanced Fujita Scale categorizes tornadoes as follows:
EF-0…..65 to 85 mph
EF-1…..86 to 110 mph
EF-2…..111 to 135 mph
EF-3…..136 to 165 mph
EF-4…..166 to 200 mph
EF-5…..>200 mph
