COLUMBUS, Ohio – Multiple fatalities were reported following severe storms and possible tornadoes that swept through parts of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The first tornado warnings were issued in Ohio around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday and continued until 10:15 p.m., coinciding with storms featuring strong winds and unconfirmed tornado activity. In Logan County, Ohio, three individuals were confirmed dead as a result of the storms, according to the Logan County Coroner’s Office.
The Logan County Emergency Management Agency described the situation as a “mass casualty event,” with numerous trees downed and homes damaged in Washington Township. Emergency response efforts were conducted promptly, with Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine treating 19 patients for weather-related injuries, all of which consisted of bone fractures and concussions.
Devastating effects from the storms were felt in Ohio’s Logan and Delaware counties, leaving a trail of destruction behind. Washington Township police chief Michael Thompson described the scene as chaotic and expressed shock over the extent of damage. Efforts to assess and address the widespread destruction were set to begin once daylight broke.
Indian Lake High School in Ohio served as a triage center and public shelter after tornado sirens interrupted a concert, providing refuge for those fleeing their homes. Indian Lakes schools, along with Big Walnut and Olentangy schools in Delaware County, were closed on Friday. Power outages were most severe in Delaware County, with significant property damage reported due to lightning, fallen trees, and downed power lines.
In Indiana, the State Police reported “many significant injuries” in the community of Winchester following a tornado. Indiana Task Force One was summoned to assist with search and rescue efforts in the area. Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy expressed shock over the devastation, recounting the sound of a train and blaring sirens preceding the storm.
Trimble County in Kentucky also faced extensive damage, with at least 50 structures, including homes, suffering the impact of the storms. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed a tornado touching down in Gallatin and Trimble counties, urging residents to remain vigilant as additional storms were forecasted. The state emergency operations center was activated to coordinate response efforts across the affected areas.
Severe weather alerts extended from northeast Texas to Indiana and Ohio on Thursday evening, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by the storm system. The extent of the damages and the toll of the storms underscored the urgent need for coordinated emergency response efforts.