EF2 Tornado In South Salem, OH - October 16, 2021

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1010 PM EDT Sat Oct 16 2021

...TORNADO CONFIRMED IN WESTERN ROSS COUNTY OHIO ON OCTOBER 16, 2021...

Start Location...South Salem, Ohio
End Location...0.5 miles SE of South Salem, Ohio
Date...October 16, 2021
Estimated Starting Time...1:28 AM EDT
Estimated Ending Time...1:31 AM EDT
Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...115 mph
Maximum Path Width...100 yards
Path Length...0.7 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon...39.3375N / 83.3086W
Ending Lat/Lon...39.3381N / 83.2926W
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries...0

...Summary...
The tornado initially started causing damage to trees east of
South Salem Cemetery and within Sunseth Park. The highest
intensity occurred shortly after touch down with two structures
destroyed along Stewart Street. One structure, which was bolted to
a concrete foundation, was lofted onto Stewart Street. The other
structure had nearly all of the exterior walls collapsed. The roof
was lofted and pieces were found littered along the tornado track
through the town. Snapped power poles also occurred along Stewart
Street. The tornado then moved southeast over Main Street with
significant tree and minor structure damage observed. The tornado
continued to cause tree damage and minor structure damage along
Lower Twin Road before exiting South Salem to the east. The final
tree damage observed was along a creek south of Lower Twin Road
where multiple trees were snapped and uprooted.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington would like to thank the
Ross County Ohio Emergency Management Agency and South Salem Fire
Department for their assistance with all three Ross County
tornadoes.

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.

$$

McGinnis/Franks