National Weather Service confirms five Ohio tornadoes, including one in Columbus area.
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Delaware County, north of Columbus, during severe storms on Wednesday.
It is one of five confirmed tornadoes spawned during severe weather in Ohio on Wednesday.
Most of the damage from the EF1 tornado in Delaware County was to homes along Fancher Road in the southeast corner of the county, according to the NWS Wilmington office. The twister was on the ground for about a mile, and cut a path about 100 yards wide. Maximum winds were estimated to be 90 mph.
As previously reported, Delaware County Sheriff's Office said it had no reports of severe damage as of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. However, Tyler Beckman, a central Ohio storm chaser, posted photos on X (formerly Twitter) showing wind damage to homes and a tree near the intersection of Route 605 and Fancher Road in Harlem Township in the county.
Possible tornado damage on an unwarned storm on 605 and Fancher rd about 45 mins ago@NWSILN @MaxVelocityWX @ReedTimmerUSA @spann @ryanhallyall
Contact for use of images pic.twitter.com/fxUPATiGZp— Tyler Beckman (@tylerbeckmanWX) April 17, 2024
Multiple tornadoes confirmed in Northeast Ohio
The Portage County Emergency Management Agency says a tornado touched down in Windham Township, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado in that area, with winds hitting 110 mph. The twister traveled nearly four miles and had a width of 65 yards. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
In Trumbull County, east of Portage County, an EF0 tornado was confirmed in Champion Township, the NWS reported. The twister hit wind speeds of up to 80 mph and was on the ground for nearly three miles.
It touched down on state Route 305 east of Hoffman Norton Road, and caused damage to homes, roofs, garages and trees.
Fourth tornado confirmed in Champaign County
The NWS also confirmed a fourth tornado in Champaign County, west of Columbus. The EF0 twister caused tree and minor structural damage in the area of Perry Road and U.S. Route 36. It cut a path three miles long and and 150 yards wide, at its maximum.
Fifth tornado damage buildings, down trees and power lines in Bucyrus
Strong winds tore through Bucyrus on Wednesday afternoon, ripping the roof off a downtown building and downing several trees and power lines, the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum reports.
Broken glass and other debris littered the city, about 30 miles west of Mansfield. Electricity was out for most of its residents.
On Thursday, the National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado hit Bucyrus. With peak wind speeds of 110 mph, it cut a path 100 yards wide and nearly 3.5 miles long. It began near the bend of Kerstetter Road and West Southern Avenue, and tracked northeast.
The NWS said it uprooted trees, destroyed outbuildings and moved a house off its foundation. It also damaged the roof of the post office and collapsed the roof of a convenience story in downtown Bucyrus.
How are tornadoes confirmed?
After suspected tornadoes are spotted, crews from the National Weather Service survey possible tornado damage in person.
The pattern of damage, not how much damage was caused, determines whether it was a tornado, according to the weather service. For tornadoes, with their violently rotating columns of air, damage often has a chaotic appearance, with larger uprooted trees often crossing each other. Weather service surveyors often look at larger uproots of trees to get a true idea of where the wind was blowing from.
How are tornadoes rated?
The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
EF0: Weak, with wind speeds of 65 to 85 mph
EF1: Weak, 86 to 110 mph
EF2: Strong, 111 to 135 mph
EF3: Strong, 136 to 165 mph
EF4: Violent, 166 to 200 mph
EF5: Violent, greater than 200 mph
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: National Weather Service confirms five Ohio tornadoes after storms
