A severe storm system wreaked havoc across parts of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky on Thursday night, with a suspected tornado in western Ohio proving deadly. Logan County Sheriff Randall Dodds reported that at least three people lost their lives when the tornado struck near the southern end of Indian Lake.
Logan County spokesperson Sheri Timmers revealed that there were multiple injuries, with an RV park among the areas severely impacted. The extent of the damage left many questions unanswered, including whether anyone was still missing. Multiple buildings in the Indian Lake area suffered damage as well.
Photos circulating on social media showed extensive residential destruction in Indian Lake, further highlighting the severity of the storm’s impact. The storm also inflicted heavy damage in Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island, and Russells Point, with the village of Lakeview reportedly left completely demolished.
In Indiana, Winchester bore the brunt of another apparent tornado, resulting in significant injuries. The town, located nearly 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, saw many homes and structures damaged by the powerful storm. The Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter expressed the challenges of assessing the full extent of injuries and damage caused by the tornado.
Across Kentucky, Trimble County was hit hard by the storms, with at least 50 structures, including homes, sustaining damage. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that a tornado touched down in Gallatin and Trimble counties, warning residents to stay vigilant as more severe weather was anticipated. The town of Milton in Trimble County experienced substantial damage, with over 100 structures potentially affected.
As the storm system continued to move, reports of hail in the St. Louis area emerged, underscoring the widespread impact of the severe weather. While unconfirmed reports of tornadoes surfaced in other areas like Jefferson County, Missouri, and Monroe County, Illinois, there were no immediate reports of damage, highlighting the unpredictable nature of severe weather events.