NWS adjusts number of Ohio tornadoes confirmed from May 7 severe storms as surveys continue
Two tornadoes that touched down in Warren County last week have been combined into one, and yet another was confirmed as the National Weather Service has continued to investigate severe storms that ripped through Western and Southwest Ohio.
Last week, the NWS confirmed that 13 tornadoes touched down during severe weather on May 7, including five in Warren County alone.
That total remains at 13 (and five for Warren County) as further investigation has found that two previously confirmed tornadoes near the village of Morrow follow a single, continuous track, and that track was extended southwest into the village, according to information from the NWS Wilmington office released Monday.
Another twister southwest of the city of Lebanon has been confirmed.
New tornado confirmed southwest of Lebanon in Warren County, Ohio
The National Weather Service has confirmed an EF0 tornado southwest of Lebanon in Warren County. The twister touched down at about 10:05 p.m. and was on the ground for two minutes. It cut a path three-tenths of a mile long, and 100 yards wide at its maximum, with a wind speed of 80 mph.
The NWS says the tornado produced damage near U.S. Route 42, south of Lebanon in the Hillcrest area. A few trees were damaged along the highway, but a nearby residence had 10 to 15 snapped or uprooted trees.
New information on Morrow tornado in Warren County, Ohio
According to updated information from the NWS, the EF1 tornado touched down at 10:15 p.m. May 7, was on the ground for 2.7 miles, and ended about 10:20 p.m. Its maximum wind speed was 95 mph, and it cut a path 350 yards wide at its widest. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
It began in the Little Miami River Valley within Morrow, where surveyors observed tree and minor structure damage, according to the NWS. The twister damaged several homes along Mason Morrow Millgrove Road, tearing the second story off one and partially blowing the roof off another.
The tornado continued northeast along the Little Miami River, causing damage near the intersection of Mason Morrow Millgrove Road and Woodward-Claypool Road and downing trees along a large stretch of the Little Miami Bike Path. It appeared to weaken as it moved northeast, causing minor tree damage and structural damage to a residence before ending.
Update on South Lebanon tornado
The NWS also extended the track of an EF1 tornado in South Lebanon, Warren County thanks to the additional investigations. It touched down at 10:08 p.m. and was on the ground four minutes, cutting a path 2.7 miles long and 150 yards wide, at its maximum, with an estimated wind speed of 90 mph.
It formed in South Lebanon, causing minor tree damage for several city blocks, as well as minor damage to an outbuilding. It moved east-northeast across Shawhan Road, causing extensive tree damage and minor roof damage. However, one detached garage had its roof blown off and a wall knocked down.
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: NWS merges 2 tornadoes in Ohio, confirms another from May 7 severe storms
