Indian Lake, Ohio – A suspected tornado tore through western Ohio on Thursday night, resulting in fatalities, authorities reported. The storm system also spawned apparent twisters in parts of Indiana and Kentucky, leaving tens of thousands without power. In Ohio, the tornado hit near Indian Lake’s southern end, claiming at least two lives and causing significant damage in Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island, and Russells Point, according to Logan County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joe Kpous.
Logan County spokesperson Sheri Timmers indicated that multiple injuries were reported in the Indian Lake area, with an RV park being among the impacted areas. The extent of the damage to buildings in the Indian Lake area remained unknown. Amber Fagan, president and chief executive of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, described the village of Lakeview as “completely demolished,” with homes, campgrounds, and a laundromat being severely impacted.
In Ohio’s Huron County, emergency management officials confirmed a large and extremely dangerous tornado near Plymouth. Meanwhile, in Indiana, a tornado struck Winchester, causing significant injuries according to Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter. Governor Eric Holcomb announced that severe weather had impacted the state, with emergency response personnel deployed to the affected areas.
To the west of Winchester, in Delaware County, Indiana, initial assessments suggested extensive damage to up to half of the structures in the town of Selma by a possible tornado. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported, with one individual transported to the hospital for treatment. In the Ohio River communities of Hanover and Lamb in Indiana, storms damaged homes and trailers.
Kentucky also felt the impact of the storms, with Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark reporting damage to at least 50 structures, including homes. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear noted that a tornado touched down along the Indiana state border in Gallatin and Trimble counties, with reports of minor injuries. The state’s emergency operations center was activated to coordinate storm response.
Reports of tornadoes in Jefferson County, Missouri, and Monroe County, Illinois surfaced, but there were no immediate reports of damage. The severe weather left a trail of destruction across the Midwest, underscoring the need for swift response and recovery efforts in the affected areas.