A deadly severe weather outbreak swept across the Southern Plains and Midwest into the Ohio Valley on Thursday, spawning several tornadoes and leaving trails of damage across multiple states.
Three people have been killed in one tornado in Ohio, while dozens were injured in a tornado in Indiana, according to local and state officials.
The three deaths in Ohio occurred when a tornado tore through Logan County on Thursday night, according to Chief Deputy Joe Kopus with the sheriff’s office.Â
Heavy damage was also reported throughout Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island and Russel’s Point.
As of Saturday morning, Logan County authorities said search and rescue had been completed as crews begin to move into the recovery phase.
“The area is still very dangerous,” officials said in a joint statement with the Logan County EMA and Logan County Sheriff’s Office. “We urge caution to everyone. Damage assessments will begin tomorrow (Sunday).”
The National Weather Service said at least six tornadoes struck the region, with the Logan County twister being the strongest at an EF-3.
Tornado damage scene around Indian Lake Friday morning in Logan County, Ohio (From Above Aerial LLC)
Tornado damage scene around Indian Lake Friday morning in Logan County, Ohio (From Above Aerial LLC)
“We’re heartbroken by the devastation that’s come upon the Indian Lake community in the last several hours,” said Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram, who said he is a lifelong resident of the community. “We very much appreciate the fact that there’s been such an outreach — not just in the local community in Indian Lake and the county, but in fact many counties around us, and we appreciate the gesture.”
Nearby Mercer County also sustained tornado damage, with emergency management reporting at least 3 injuries
“We have several homes damaged,” Mercer County Emergency Management Director Mike Robbins told FOX Weather.
PowerOutage.us reported nearly 20,000 electrical outages in Ohio at the height of the storm, with many occurring between the Interstate 70 and 90 corridors.
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