Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible from the central Plains to the Northeast through this evening. Widespread damaging winds are the primary threat but hail and a tornado or two is also possible. Extremely dangerous heat continues across the Eastern U.S. Warm overnight low temperatures will provide little to no relief. Read More >
EF1 Tornado Mercer County OH / Auglaize County OH |
Public Information Statement National Weather Service Wilmington OH 1127 AM EDT Sun Mar 17 2024 ...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 03/14/2024 TORNADO EVENT... ..EF1 Confirmed in Mercer/Auglaize County... Start Location...Celina in Mercer County OH End Location.....4 S Buckland in Auglaize County OH Date...........................03/14/2024 Estimated Time.................7:00 PM EDT Estimated Time.................7:24 PM EDT Maximum EF-Scale Rating........EF1 Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...105 mph Maximum Path Width.............1050 yards Path Length....................16.1 miles Beginning Lat/Lon..............40.5518 / -84.5684 Ending Lat/Lon.................40.5675 / -84.2681 * Fatalities...0 * Injuries.....0 ...Summary... The tornado initially began a couple of blocks east of North Main Street along East Anthony Street within the city of Celina. A few houses received light damage to roofs and a few trees were knocked down. Additional light tree debris was noted along East Anthony Street toward College Avenue. The tornado continued eastward, causing tree and minor roofing damage to houses on Devonshire and Cumberland Drive. One house on Devonshire Drive had more roof damage. The tornado is believed to have moved east from there, causing damage to the Menards and Eastview Park before crossing State Route 29. Sporadic tree damage was found between State Route 703 and State Route 29 as the tornado continued east. A few homes on Long Pine Drive and surrounding courts were damaged. As the tornado neared Riley Road, it took on a more northeast motion, damaging several buildings south of State Route 29 before crossing from south to north. Damaged outbuildings, homes, and snapped/uprooted trees were then observed along Four Turkey Road north of State Route 29. After the tornado crossed State Route 29, the width of observed damage grew quite significantly suggesting the circulation of the tornado grew. The observed damage, mostly consisting of damaged out-buildings, a few houses, and numerous trees, indicated an intensification of the tornado as well, with a swath of EF-1 damage stretching from Four Turkey Road to State Route 116 east of US Route 33. This period of the tornado is where the tornado was at its widest, approximately 1050 yards, and strongest with winds estimated around 105 mph. To the east of State Route 116, the tornado began to slowly contract in size as it continued eastward. Radar data shows a steady eastward motion for the tornado with the circulation remaining intact for seven additional miles. The observed damage was mostly tree related due to the tornado`s slow state of weakening. The final observed damage was found along Bay Road north of US Route 33, therefore it is believed that the tornado dissipated between Bay Road and Kettlersville Road. This matches up well with radar data. The NWS in Wilmington would like to thank Emergency Management officials from Mercer and Auglaize County for their assistance in the damage 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. $$ |
Link to KMZ File of Tornado Track |