November 10th 2002 Timeline

All times EST

1:40pm - Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Indiana and Ohio counties from Miami/Wabash/Kosciusko/Noble/Lagrange east, until 7pm EST.

2:30pm - Tornado struck Hartford City (Blackford County). Damaged grocery store, tore down trees. 6 injured.

2:31 pm - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Huntington County until 3:00pm.

2:39pm - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Adams County until 3:30pm.

2:45pm - Tornado Warning issued for Adams County, northwest Jay County, and southeast Wells County until 3:30pm.

2:50pm - Storm entered southwest corner of Adams County (radar).

2:55pm - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Blackford County and southeast Grant County until 4:00pm.

2:59pm - Tornado two miles northeast of Berne (Adams County) damaged a house (14 minute lead-time from the National Weather Service...in other words, the Tornado Warning was issued 14 minutes before the tornado hit this location).

3:00pm - Wind blew numerous trees down one mile north of Decatur.

3:02pm - Tornado Warning issued for Van Wert County until 4:00pm.

3:05pm - Tornado destroyed houses, barns, and a trailer 5 and 6 miles northeast of Berne.

3:11pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for Wells, Adams, and Jay counties in Indiana. Mentioned tornado 2 miles northeast of Salem, Indiana, near the Indiana/Ohio state line. Also mentioned line of storms just to the west that was moving in to the area that was "capable of producing tornadoes".

3:13pm - Tornado on Indiana/Ohio state line on northwest side of Willshire (Van Wert County) (radar).

3:15pm - Tornado passed between Wren and Willshire (radar).

3:17pm - Nickel sized hail 2 miles south of Upland (Grant County).

3:17pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for southeastern Grant County and Blackford County.

3:24pm - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for Jay County until 4:15pm.

3:28pm - Tornado caused F4 damage on the west side of Van Wert (Van Wert County). 15 injuries and 2 fatalities.  Movie theater badly damaged during matinee showing of The Santa Clause 2.  Theater manager heard the warning and took patrons, including many children, to a safe location...there were no injuries or deaths.  26 minute lead-time from the National Weather Service.

3:29pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for Van Wert County. Metioned "tornadoes just west and southwest of the city of Van Wert"..."Van Wert residents should remain in their basements or interior closets away from windows"..."People northeast of the city of Van Wert should take shelter now"..."This is a very dangerous storm with a history of damage".

3:30pm - Tornado Warning issued for southeast Defiance County, east Paulding County, and west Putnam County until 4:30pm.

3:30pm - Tornado crossed US 30 northwest of Van Wert (radar).

3:31pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for Jay, Adams, and Wells counties. Mentioned "winds in excess of 70 mph are possible with this storm"..."remember that severe storms can produce tornadoes at a moments notice"..."seek shelter immediately".

3:40pm - Tornado damaged structures 5 miles northeast of Van Wert (Van Wert County) (38 minute lead-time from the National Weather Service).

3:41pm - Tornado damaged structures in Wetsel (Van Wert County) (39 minute lead-time from the National Weather Service).

3:42pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for northern Van Wert County, southeast Defiance County, east Paulding County, and west Putnam County. Mentioned a tornado 4 miles northeast of Cavett..."this tornado caused severe damage in the city of Van Wert at 3:30pm"..."this is an extremely dangerous situation"..."if you are in the path of this intense tornado seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor of the structure immediately". Referred to the tornado as an "intense severe tornado".

3:43pm - Tornado crossed into Paulding County (radar).

3:46pm - Five injuries as tornado brought numerous structures down in Grover Hill (Paulding County) (16 minute lead-time from the National Weather Service).

3:48pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for southeast Defiance County, east Paulding County, and west Putnam County. Referred to the tornado as "an intense tornado" two miles east of Grover Hill. Mentioned "this tornado caused significant damage in Van Wert at 3:30pm"..."this is an extremely dangerous situation"..."if you are in the path of this intense tornado seek shelter immediately".

3:49pm - Tornado leveled a church in Roselms (Paulding County).

3:54pm - Tornado Warning issued for Henry County until 5:00pm.

3:57pm - Severe Weather Statement for southeast Defiance County, east Paulding County, northwest Putnam County, and Henry County. Mentioned a tornado 5 miles west of Continental. Mentioned "this strong tornado caused extreme widespread damage in the city of Van Wert along with injuries and a possible death"..."this is an extremely dangerous situation"..."if you are in the path of this significant tornado seek shelter immediately in the interior of a sturdy building on the lowest floor".

3:58pm - Tornado crossed in to Putnam County northwest of Continental. Two homes were damaged.  Two people were killed when their trailer was destroyed.  (28 minute lead-time from the National Weather Service).

4:03pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for Van Wert County. Mentioned "significant widespread damage occurred in the city of Van Wert at 3:30pm along with injuries and a possible fatality".

4:03pm - Tornado crossed in to Defiance County (radar).

4:04pm - Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued for eastern Putnam County and Allen County Ohio until 5:00pm.

4:05pm - Tornado damaged a barn and a silo, blew a camper over, and blew trees down near Ayersville (Defiance County) (35 minute lead-time from the National Weather Service).

4:09pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for Defiance and Henry counties. Mentioned an "intense tornado" 4 miles southeast of Ayersville. Mentioned "this tornado caused significant damage in Van Werrt County"..."this is an extremely dangerous situation...if you are in the path of this intense tornado seek shelter immediately in the interior of the lowest floor of a sturdy building away from windows".

4:09pm - Tornado crossed into Henry County (radar).

4:16pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for Jay County.

4:19pm - Tornado two miles northwest of Elery (Henry County) (radar).

4:20pm - Wind damage...trees and power lines down throughout Henry County.

4:24pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for southeast Defiance County, east Paulding County, and west Putnam County.

4:32pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for Henry County.

4:33pm - Severe Weather Statement issued for east central Putnam County and Allen County Ohio.

4:34pm - Wind damage...trees and power lines down at Cairo (Allen County Ohio).

4:40pm - Wind damage...trees and power lines down throughout Allen County Ohio.

5:00pm - Severe Thunderstorm Watch canceled...the severe weather had left the area.