Heavy rain and isolated severe thunderstorms may cause flash flooding in the northern Mid-Atlantic today. The Mid-Atlantic and Southeast heatwave is slowly easing, while cooler, drier air spreads across the Central and Eastern U.S. for the start of August. Critical fire conditions persist in the Pacific Northwest and Four Corners due to dry storms and gusty winds. Read More >
Tornado in Clark County, Ohio |
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT National Weather Service Wilmington OH 600 PM EST Fri Feb 8 2019 ...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR FEBRUARY 7TH 2019 TORNADO EVENT... ...TORNADO CONFIRMED IN CLARK COUNTY... Start Location...5 miles northwest of Selma in Clark County Ohio End Location...5 miles northwest of South Charleston in Clark County Ohio Date...February 7th 2019 Estimated Time...317 PM to 323 PM EST Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF0 Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...80-85 mph Maximum Path Width...150 yards Path Length...7.5 miles Beginning Lat/Lon...39.8280/-83.7941 Ending Lat/Lon...39.8898/-83.6732 * Fatalities...0 * Injuries...0 ...Summary... The National Weather Service in Wilmington, with assistance from the Clark County Ohio Emergency Management Agency, conducted a storm damage survey in rural Clark County in the Pitchin area northwest of the town of Selma. Damage from severe thunderstorms during the afternoon of February 7th 2019 was determined to have been caused by a weak tornado, with maximum wind speeds of 80-85 mph. The first instance of damage was found along East Jackson Road, where one tree was snapped. Damage continued along East Jackson Road with an awning lifted off a house and lifted into a tree behind the house. In addition, the gutter was pulled off the house and was found lying over the roof. Approximately 200 yards to the northeast of this damage, a barn was destroyed, with metal roofing blown in multiple directions. Another larger barn lost a wall due to wind damage. Damage was also found to the northeast on Selma Pike where the Pitchin Fire Department experienced minor roof damage exhibited by numerous roof shingles blown off to the southeast of the structure. An eyewitness at an adjacent residence stated he saw a tornado cross over Selma Pike. Further northeast, damage was also found along Old Springfield Road where two uprooted evergreen trees were noted, and several large limbs had been tossed in multiple directions. On Limerick Road, one uprooted deciduous tree was observed. Then, on East Pitchin Road between Ridge Road and Craig Road, a large tree was snapped off. Along Craig Road, a two story home lost multiple shingles, which were found scattered across an adjacent field. In addition, multiple second story soffit boards had been blown off. Further down Craig Road, another residence had siding removed from the storm, and a large tree was blown down. Near where Craig Road intersects with Old 70 Road, a barn was blown over, and metal roofing was found scattered into neighboring property, including one six foot piece found impaled into the siding of a house. On Old 70 Road, multiple trees were blown down, and multiple roofing shingles from a house were blown off. One of the these shingles was wedged into the window framing on the northeast-facing side of the house. Along Fletcher Pike, a few trees were also observed to be blown down. The last damage seen along the track was on Newlove Road. Here, a metal barn roof was lifted and thrown into an adjacent field. This was the apparent end of the tornado. Damage at all of these locations followed a convergent path, and was typical of a weak tornado, with a maximum estimated wind speed of 80-85 mph. This places the tornado in the EFO range of the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The National Weather Service in Wilmington would like to thank the Clark County Ohio Emergency Management Agency for their assistance and collaboration in the execution of this survey. EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph * The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data. $$ Peloquin/Hogue/Binau |