A suspected tornado ripped through the village of Lakeview in Logan County, Ohio, Thursday night, leaving at least three people dead, according to Sheriff Randall Dodds. The storm system also spawned twisters in Indiana and Kentucky, causing widespread destruction and power outages to tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
Authorities in Logan County reported multiple injuries and damage to an RV park in the Indian Lake area. The full extent of the destruction was still unclear, with multiple buildings damaged.
In Lakeview, Amber Fagan, president of the Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, described the village as “completely demolished,” with homes, campgrounds, and a laundromat severely impacted. A shelter was opened for those displaced by the storm.
In Huron County, Ohio, emergency management officials confirmed a large and extremely dangerous tornado near Plymouth, about 75 miles northeast of Indian Lake. Meanwhile, Winchester, Indiana, some 75 miles west of Indian Lake, was also hit by a tornado, causing significant injuries but no known fatalities.
Governor Eric Holcomb of Indiana mentioned that severe weather had affected Hoosiers across the state, with emergency response personnel in action in the impacted areas. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security was on the scene in Randolph County, coordinating efforts to assist those affected by the storms.
In Kentucky, Trimble County Emergency Management Director Andrew Stark reported damage to at least 50 structures, including homes. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed a tornado touching down in Gallatin and Trimble counties, causing minor injuries and significant damage to the town of Milton in Trimble County.
Reports of unconfirmed tornadoes in Jefferson County, Missouri, and Monroe County, Illinois, emerged, with no immediate reports of damage. The storms also brought large pieces of hail to parts of the St. Louis area.
Overall, the severe weather system that swept through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and surrounding areas left a trail of destruction, with authorities and emergency personnel mobilized to assess and address the aftermath of the storms.