Logan County, Ohio – Severe storms with likely tornadoes wreaked havoc across several central U.S. states, causing destruction to homes and businesses and claiming the lives of at least three individuals, authorities reported. The death toll is expected to rise as officials work towards assessing the full extent of the damage in the aftermath of the storm.
As the sun rose on Friday, officials faced the daunting task of evaluating the aftermath of the storms with power outages complicating relief efforts. The three reported deaths occurred in Logan County, Ohio, as the sheriff’s office confirmed. Additionally, Kentucky, Indiana, and Arkansas reported significant damage from the tornadoes, with suspected tornadoes also hitting Illinois and Missouri.
Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office stated, “Three people have been confirmed dead. We are working on identifying the victims.” Meanwhile, in Winchester, Ind., where a suspected tornado struck, officials reported numerous significant injuries and launched search operations to assess the situation, with no fatalities reported as of Friday morning.
Mayor Bob McCoy of Winchester shared his harrowing experience of the storm, recalling the sound of a train before seeking shelter in a closet with his wife. The impact of the tornado in Winchester damaged a Walmart store and a Taco Bell, leading to travel restrictions throughout the county limited to emergency management personnel only, according to Randolph County Sheriff Art Moystner.
In Selma, Indiana, officials reported that half of the town’s structures, housing around 750 residents, were damaged by a possible tornado, with only minor injuries reported. Governor Eric Holcomb expressed his concern for the impact of severe weather across the state, reassuring residents of emergency response measures in place.
Amidst the chaos, Indiana schools closed in the wake of the tornadoes, providing shelter and support for affected individuals. In Ohio’s Huron County, emergency management officials confirmed a large and extremely dangerous tornado near Plymouth as multiple buildings in the Indian Lake area sustained damage.
Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce President Amber Fagan described Lakeview as “completely demolished,” with extensive damage to homes, campgrounds, and businesses. Emergency crews continued their search for survivors as they navigated through the destruction caused by the tornadoes across multiple U.S. states.
In Kentucky, Trimble County reported damage to at least 50 structures, including homes, while the town of Milton saw significant destruction, prompting Governor Andy Beshear to acknowledge the potential for over 100 damaged structures. Arkansas didn’t escape the devastation, with a tornado striking the retirement community of Hot Springs Village, confirming the impact of severe weather in a widespread area.