February 28, 2024 -- EF2 Tornado Confirmed near Jersey, Ohio

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
914 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024

...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 02/28/2024 TORNADO EVENT...

...Franklin/Licking County Tornado...

Start Location...3 E Gahanna in Franklin County OH
End Location.....1 W Granville South in Licking County OH
Date...........................02/28/2024
Estimated Start Time...........05:49 AM EST
Estimated End Time.............06:03 AM EST
Maximum EF-Scale Rating........EF2
Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...120 mph
Maximum Path Width.............300 yards
Path Length....................14.2 miles
Beginning Lat/Lon..............40.0221 / -82.8191
Ending Lat/Lon.................40.0617 / -82.5592
* Fatalities...0
* Injuries.....0

...Summary...
With considerable assistance from the State of Ohio EMA, the
Franklin County EMA, and the Licking County EMA, the National
Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio surveyed tornado damage from
eastern Franklin into western Licking County.

The tornado began in the Havens Corners area near the
intersection of Highway 605 and Havens Corners Road, and quickly
strengthened as it moved through the Havenswood neighborhood in
Franklin County, producing tree and minor structural damage
indicative of winds between 85 mph and 100 mph.

The tornado continued to rapidly strengthen as it approached
McOwen Road, where considerable tree damage was observed, with
numerous stands of soft and hard wood trees snapped off
completely or uprooted. A shipping container was tossed, and a
home suffered extensive roof loss and the loss of one exterior
wall, with debris thrown hundreds of yards downstream. In this
area, winds were estimated to be around 120 mph.

The tornado began weakening just a bit as it crossed into Licking
County, but still produced a wide swath of tree and structural
damage along its path across Graham Road SW and Highway 41.
Structural damage was mainly in the form of windows blown out,
destroyed barns, and minor roof removal.

The tornado continued to slowly weaken as it moved east-northeast
from the Jersey area toward the southwest side of Granville where
it dissipated. Along this stretch, mainly tree and very minor
structural damage was noted. The tornado is believed to have
dissipated near a golf course south of State Route 161 on the west
side of Granville.

Additional damage was noted in South Granville and the south side
of Granville, including near Lake Hudson. This damage is believed
to have been caused by straight line winds of up to 80 MPH.

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.

Binau/BEI

$$