Multiple dead after tornadoes, strong storms in central Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Multiple deaths have been reported after a series of storms and tornadoes on Thursday night ripped through Logan County and other central Ohio counties.

The first tornado warnings were issued about 8:30 p.m. and continued through 10:15, connected to storms with strong winds and unconfirmed tornadoes. Three people in Logan County died in connection, according to the county coroner, where an EF-3 tornado was confirmed near Orchard Island.

“We’re heartbroken by the devastation that’s come upon the Indian lake community in the last several hours,” Logan County Commissioner Joe Antrim said on Friday. “Whatever local government can do to assist we certainly are anxious and willing to help in any way.”

The latest forecast from Storm Team 4 is available at this link. Follow NBC4 all day Friday for updates.

Confirmed tornadoes

The National Weather Service surveyed damage to determine where tornadoes touched down, and as of 11 p.m. Friday had confirmed at least eight across Ohio.

Crews in Logan County confirmed a EF-3 tornado caused damage near Orchard Island after initially categorizing it as an EF-2. Teams were continuing to survey damage in the area and around the village of Lakeview. The Logan County EMA and sheriff’s office said search and rescue efforts have been completed.

Crews visited Licking and Mercer counties, where they determined an EF-1 tornado occurred near Johnstown and another EF-1 touched down in western Mercer County. Licking County was the site of a tornado near Jersey in late February. That means tornadoes have struck north and south of the Intel construction site in recent weeks.

In Orange Township in southwestern Hancock County, an EF-1 tornado reached estimated winds of 100 mph and traveled for more than 3 miles at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A 250-yard-wide EF-2 tornado traveled for more than 10 miles in Crawford and Richland counties shortly before 8 p.m.

State leaders: ‘We will be back’

Behind state leaders, the Indian Lake High School gym had transformed into a makeshift donation center. While officials took turns speaking at the podium, dozens of volunteers could be seen sorting through mountains of clothes and carrying boxes of batteries, underwear, tissues, menstrual products and other basic necessities.

“What we see in this gym, I think, is symbolic – and real – of the spirit of the people of Ohio,” Gov. Mike DeWine said.

DeWine and other elected officials toured the towns and villages around Indian Lake Friday afternoon, witnessing what the governor called a “tremendous” amount of damage. But between demolished buildings and roads covered in debris, he said he also found an unending amount of resilience.

He and state legislators credited the state’s emergency response program, a complex network of state and local agencies and protocols, with saving countless lives. But he acknowledged that while the immediate danger was over, the communities around Indian Lake had a long road to recovery.

And, he noted, the normal tornado season is still yet to come.

“We will be back. We are coming back,” DeWine said. “It is not lost on any of us that the summer season is almost here.”

Storm damage in photos and video

Devastation from violent storms and possible tornadoes left a wake of damage from its path in Logan and Delaware counties. Antrim said the cleanup effort could take “quite a while”.

“I’m concerned of the fact that this is going to be a long-term recovery here,” he said. “Everyone is so gracious to come out today, immediately, but don’t forget Indian Lake community in the next coming weeks.”

See raw video of storm damage in Logan County below.

Storm relief assistance: How to help

The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at the Bellefontaine First Church of God, 1000 E. Brown Ave. It asks those needing help to call 1-800-RedCross and not message its Facebook page.

Indian Lake High School is also operating as an emergency shelter for those displaced by the storm. The address is 6210 State Route 235 in Lewiston. Those needing supplies are encouraged to stop by at any time, including throughout the night, but volunteers asked that donations either be dropped off by 5 p.m. Friday or after 10 a.m. Saturday.

NBC4 has partnered with the American Red Cross to raise relief funds. All money will go toward immediate needs, including helping people access shelter, food and water in the days, weeks and months ahead. You can donate online or send a $10 donation by texting TORNADO to 90999.

The Red Cross is asking only for monetary donations and is not accepting food, household items, or clothing at this time.

The United Way of Logan County has started the Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund for Logan County residents impacted by the storm. Donation information is available here.

‘Mass casualty event’ near Indian Lake

Reports came in Thursday of a “mass casualty event” from the Logan County Emergency Management Agency, with numerous trees downed and homes damaged. Police in Washington Township confirmed deaths from Lakewood, Midway and Orchard Island.

A spokesperson with Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine said the hospital saw 19 patients in its emergency room with weather-related injuries. All the injuries were bone fractures and concussions.

The official said the hospital was following its procedures for a mass casualty event because of the surge in patients but that it never exceeded its capacity and still had beds available.

Police chief: ‘It’s just chaos … the damage’

Washington Township police chief Michael Thompson said this is the first time he’s dealt with anything of this magnitude.

“For me, it’s just chaos, because you drive around these streets and you visit these people, you
visit the business,” Thompson said. “And then you see what it is now. I think, for me, it’s just atrocious what you see, the damage, and we can’t even begin to assess it.”

Washington Township stretches south in Logan County from Indian Lake and includes the communities of Orchard Island and Russells Point.

Thompson expected search and rescue efforts to include cadaver dogs.

School closings and delays

A concert was under way at Indian Lake High School when tornado sirens sounded. The school was quickly turned into a triage center and public shelter for those who had to flee their homes.

“We had this huge response from the community,” Superintendent Rob Underwood said. “We had people from all over the region — nurses, mental health professionals –that showed up and really just started moving into action.”

Indian Lakes schools were closed for Friday. In Delaware County, Big Walnut schools were closed, in addition to Olentangy schools, a major Columbus suburban district.

A sheriff deputy in Delaware County said that part of the roof came off a middle school and the scoreboards were “wrecked” at the athletic fields.

For the full list of Friday school closings and delays, follow this link.

Power outages in Delaware County

Delaware County was hit hardest in terms of power outages, and there was severe damage to people’s property due to lightning, downed power lines and fallen trees.

Sheriff Tracy Whited confirmed several roads are closed due to storm damage, particularly in Berlin Township, Berkshire Township and the Village of Galena. Some of those closures include Wagner Way at Stratford.

Find more information about power outages at this link.

Heavy equipment to move debris

In Russells Point, Mayor Robin Reames said heavy equipment will be brought in to help move debris, with the extent of damage not expected to be known until later Friday.

“We’ve seen a lot of devastation, but we have been blessed with volunteers, first responders from counties all surrounding us, from the state, all over the state,” Reames said. “We have even had civilian people coming who have had losses themselves but are not thinking of themselves but are thinking of others.”

Russells Point is a village about of 1,300 on the southern edge of Indian Lake.

“Some are stuck and in their homes, and some are just devastated,” Reames said.

Park and road closures

Indian Lake State Park has been closed until further notice.

Staff and emergency crews from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will assess damage and reevaluate the status of the park.

In Delaware County, the emergency management team was urging motorists to steer clear from Berlin Station Road, Gregory Road, Africa Road, Cheshire Road and the Village of Galena.

“Please avoid sightseeing the aftermath of the storm while we have multiple serious traffic obstructions – live wires down and large trees and debris on the roadways,” a statement read. “Crews need to focus on these areas, so PLEASE avoid going out right now unless you need to.”

Find live traffic conditions at this link.