At Least 3 Dead After Severe Storms, Suspected Tornadoes Hit Several States: ‘Pure Devastation’

Reports of tornadoes were made in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas and more on Thursday as a severe weather system passed through the states

• Tornadoes were reported in several states on Thursday as a severe weather system passed through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas and more

• At least three people died in Central Ohio after a suspected tornado hit Logan County

• As many as half the buildings in one Kentucky town were reportedly demolished by a suspected tornado

At least three people have died after severe thunderstorms, some of which spawned tornadoes, tore through several states on Thursday.

Reports of tornadoes were made in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas and more on Thursday as the storm system that walloped Kansas and Missouri the day prior blew through the region.

Ohio's Logan County was among the areas hit particularly hard. At least three people died in the area after a suspected tornado touched down nearby.

Sheriff Randy Dodds confirmed the deaths Friday at a press conference aired by local stations. A fourth death was also reported, but it appears to be due to a natural cause.

Related: At Least 6 Dead After Winter Storm Finn Slams Midwest, East Coast with Snow, Rain and Tornadoes

Dodds said the number of fatalities could increase, according to The Columbus Dispatch. “It's one hell of a mess up there,” the sheriff explained. “It looks like a war zone.”

LCSO Chief Deputy Joe Kopus said communities like Indian Lake, Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island and Russells Point also sustained significant damage from the storm, according to CBS News.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Several local buildings were “demolished in the storm,” including the Lakeview municipal building, a laundromat and an old plastics building, Amber Fagan, president and CEO of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, told ABC affiliate WSYX.

The downtown area sustained significant damage as well. “It’s pure devastation,” Fagan told the station. “I have never seen anything like this in my entire life.”

Related: Why a Summer of Extreme Weather Scares Even the Experts: 'It Doesn't Get Better from Here'

A spokesperson for Mary Rutan Health in Logan County said about 19 people were treated for weather-related injuries at its facility following the storm, according to CNN.

The United Way of Logan County has started a Tornado Relief Fund to support the Indian Lake community, with 100% of all contributions going toward relief efforts.

At least one tornado is also believed to have touched down in Indiana, according to The Indy Star and FOX affiliate WXIN.

The Indiana Emergency Management Agency reportedly said Randolph and Delaware counties experienced the worst damage in the state, as well as multiple injuries.

As many as half of the buildings in Selma were destroyed, per the Star. However, no fatalities have been reported in the town or elsewhere in the state.

At a press conference Friday, Winchester mayor Bob McCoy said at least 38 people were injured, including three who may be life-threatening, according to local channel WPTA.

“There were houses that are leveled. Taco Bell, leveled,” the mayor explained. “So, I really praise the Lord for this one ... It could have been really bad."

In Kentucky, a tornado tore through Gallatin and Trimble counties, and a possible tornado was reported in Carroll County as well, according to a statement from Governor Andy Beshar.

Related: More Than 35 People Die in Extreme Winter Weather as New Storms Brew — What to Know

The storms caused “significant damage” to the area, “especially to the town of Milton in Trimble County,” Beshar said. More than 100 structures are believed to have been damaged, he added.

Luckily, Beshar said, there were only “a couple” reports of minor injuries, “and no reports of fatalities or missing persons.”

Meanwhile, in Arkansas, the National Weather Service’s office in Little Rock said a tornado struck Garland and Saline counties around 8 p.m. local time on Thursday. However, no significant injuries or fatalities have been reported, according to CBS affiliate KTHV.

Tornadoes were also suspected in Illinois and Missouri, according to the Associated Press.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.