Tornado Confirmed in Grove City, Ohio

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
502 PM EDT Wed Apr 4 2018

...TORNADO CONFIRMED NEAR GROVE CITY IN FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO...

Location...Grove City in Franklin County Ohio
Date...April 3rd 2018
Estimated Time...537 PM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF1
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...105 MPH
Maximum Path Width...75 Yards
Path Length...2.6 Miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...39.8588N / 83.0829W
Ending lat/Lon...39.8753N / 83.0382W
* 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 has confirmed a
tornado near Grove City in Franklin County Ohio on April 3rd
2018.

With outstanding support and assistance from both Grove City and
Franklin County Emergency Management officials, the National
Weather Service in Wilmington surveyed damage from thunderstorms
which occurred on April 3rd 2018.

The survey found that a tornado initially touched down just south
of Orders Road, and moved northeast, crossing Hoover Road and
I-71, and and eventually White Road before lifting just north of
White Road and just south of Stringtown Road.

The most significant damage along this path occurred on the west
side of I-71, first near Orders Road where 4 large utility poles
which were snapped at the base and lying across Orders Road.
Structural damage was found to multiple townhomes and other
structures on the west side of Hoover Road, where a newly built detached
garage was completely destroyed, and several townhomes had
partial uplift and removal of roofing, and damage to exterior
walls. Many townhomes had garage doors pushed in, with portions of
roofing removed as wind exited the structure through the roof.
Debris spatter was indicated on all 4 sides of several structures.
Four more large electrical transmission poles were snapped on the
west side of Hoover Road. Eyewitness photos and videos confirm a
tornado on the ground in this area. The most significant damage
in this area was consistent with wind speeds around 105 mph, and
represents the strongest of the winds associated with this
tornado.

As the tornado crossed I-71, it began to weaken and lift, as
damage became lighter and more intermittent, consisting of tree
and minor structural damage to roofing materials. Still, many
homes immediately east of I-71 suffered at least minor damage
and/or tree damage before the tornado lifted.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington would like to thank
Grove City and Franklin County Emergency Management officials for
their support and assistance in the survey.

This information can also be found on our website at
weather.gov/iln.

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.

$$

Binau/Haydu