Here’s how many tornadoes hit Ohio Thursday night
[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect the tornado in Logan County was upgraded to an EF-3 by the National Weather Service. The number of deaths reported in this story may also change based on new information from officials.]
LOGAN COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) — At least 8 tornadoes have been confirmed by the National Weather Service in Ohio. Those include:
An EF-3 tornado in Logan County
An EF-2 tornado in Crawford/Richland
An EF-2 tornado in Darke County
An EF-2 tornado in Union County
An EF-1 tornado in Licking County
An EF-1 tornado in Hancock County
An EF-1 tornado in Mercer and Auglaize County
An EF-1 tornado in western Mercy County
The tornado outbreak left several people dead after tornadoes tore through Ohio Thursday night.
According to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, at least three people have been confirmed dead.
Logan County Sheriff Randall Dodds says first responders conducted searches for victims until 4 a.m. Friday morning. The sheriff’s office confirms they checked more than 1,700 structures in the affected area.
Nineteen more people reportedly sustained concussions or fractures, according to a spokesperson from Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefoutaine.
The Logan County Emergency Management Agency tells FOX 8’s sister station, WCMH, the county is dealing with a “mass casualty event.“
Video: Funnel cloud in Plymouth during tornado warning
Video from the area showed houses and businesses flattened as well as power lines and trees down throughout the area.
People walk through debris from severe storms Friday, March 15, 2024, in Lakeview, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) Debris from severe storms scatters the ground Friday, March 15, 2024, in Lakeview, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) Greg McDougle walks near debris Friday, March 15, 2024, following a severe storm in Lakeview, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) Debris is visible following a severe storm Friday, March 15, 2024, in Lakeview, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) Debris is visible near a damaged home following a severe storm Friday, March 15, 2024, in Lakeview, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) Debris is visible through the window of a damaged home following severe storms Friday, March 15, 2024, in Lakeview, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Jerry Watson has lived in Indian Lake his entire life. He said he’s never seen anything like what happened Thursday night.
“This is nuts,” he said. “I’ve watched the movie ‘Twister.’ I think we’ve just lived this movie. This is crazy.”
He said he got two family members to safety and wanted to watch the storm from his porch.
Photos: Damage caused by strong Thursday storms
“No!” he said of his plan. “Evidently I was really scared. I ran to the bathroom and shut the door and all I heard was ‘Boom, Boom, Boom.’ The house shook and I opened the door and we had no roof.”
The Indian Lakes High School was set up as a shelter for those displaced in the storm.
The district canceled school on Friday so they could continue to help the community.
Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference at the school Friday with local officials around 3:30 p.m.
New details on tornado confirmed in 2 Ohio counties
DeWine thanked the first responders and volunteers. He also complimented the community’s resilience during this disaster.
According to Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram during the press conference, the county has been put under a declaration of disaster.
Donations of all kinds are being accepted from all over the state to help the community in this time of need.
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