Tornado and Straight-Line Winds North of Downtown Cincinnati

• Back to the main event page for July 13, 2016

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
334 PM EDT FRI JUL 15 2016

...Tornado Confirmed Near Westwood in Hamilton County Ohio...

Location...Westwood in Hamilton County Ohio
Date...July 13, 2016
Estimated Time...10:18 PM EDT to 10:19 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF0
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...80 MPH
Maximum Path Width...150 yards
Path Length...0.75 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...39.1394N/84.6097W
Ending lat/Lon...39.1403N/84.5956W
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

* The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the event(s) and publication in
NWS Storm Data.

...Summary...
The National Weather Service in Wilmington OH confirmed a tornado
near Westwood in Hamilton County Ohio on July 13, 2016.

This statement provides more details than what was provided in
the previously issued statements.

The first sign of tornadic damage was observed at a pair of two
story apartment buildings along the intersection of Queen City
Avenue and Westbrook Drive. Roof shingles and siding were removed
from multiple sides of the buildings, and large tree branches were
knocked down on a nearby tree.

Tornadic damage continued between Werk Road and Westbrook Drive,
with the most significant damage occurring along the 3000 block of
Boudinot Avenue and along the 3000 block of Werk Road. Numerous 10
to 12 inch diameter or greater tree branches were knocked down,
with the branches pointing in multiple directions along this
stretch. Several hardwood trees were also blown down. Power poles
and wires were also knocked down, particularly along Werk Road.
Minor structural damage was observed to several two story
residences along Boudinot Avenue, much of that consisting of roof
shingles and siding being removed from multiple sides of the
homes.

Additional large tree branches were down along Ferguson Road
between Werk Road and Westbrook Drive. The last evidence of
tornadic damage was observed along Werk Road near the intersection
of McKinley Avenue, and that also consisted of large tree branches
knocked down and pointing in opposing directions. Damage was EF0
in nature along the track of the tornado, with maximum winds
around 80 mph.

Further east into the east Westwood and Clifton areas, tree
damage and some structural damage was noted. Damage in this area
was determined a result of straight-line winds.

Some of the most significant damage from straight-line winds
occurred in East Westwood along Westwood Northern Boulevard. Two
brick two story apartment buildings were damaged. Much of the
roof of one building was removed and a significant portion of the
other was blown off and thrown behind the buildings. Some debris
from the second level of the buildings was also tossed behind both
buildings. In addition, several large tree branches were knocked
down, and these branches were generally pointing toward the same
direction.

To the east of Interstate 75 in the Clifton area, additional
damage was surveyed. Much of the damage consisted of large healthy
tree limbs being knocked down and a few evergreen trees being
uprooted, particularly along Senator Avenue. Chimney damage was
also noted on one home and a portion of the roof of a church on
Clifton Avenue was also removed. Damage in the Clifton area
exhibited a pattern consistent with straight-line winds which
likely were in the 90 to 100 mph range.

The National Weather Service extends thanks to Hamilton County OH
Emergency Management and the affected homeowners for their
assistance with this damage survey.

For reference...the Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes
into the following categories:

EF0...wind speeds 65 to 85 mph.
EF1...wind speeds 86 to 110 mph.
EF2...wind speeds 111 to 135 mph.
EF3...wind speeds 136 to 165 mph.
EF4...wind speeds 166 to 200 mph.
EF5...wind speeds greater than 200 mph.

$$

BPP/KH