PAULDING COUNTY, Ohio — Thirteen total structures, including nine homes, were damaged Tuesday evening, according to the Paulding County Emergency Management Agency, after a tornado swept through the area.
The National Weather Service of Northern Indiana confirmed Wednesday that the tornado was an EF-1 from 8:09-8:14 p.m. with estimated peak winds of 105 mph. The NWS said the path length was 6.18 miles and the max width was 300 yards.
According to the National Weather Service, several reports of funnel clouds, and photos and videos were received from Latty east to south of Melrose and west of Oakwood.
An EF-U tornado, meaning its strength is unknown due to insufficient data, was also confirmed in Putnam County Tuesday evening, according to the NWS. There was visual evidence of it, but it did not cause any damage.
According to a press release from the Paulding County Emergency Management Agency, the first tornado warning was issued in the county at 7:38 p.m. when the storm cell entered the county from the southwest and had visual rotation in the clouds. By 7:45 p.m., the county EMA said the sheriff's office received phone calls of a funnel cloud forming south of Latty, Ohio. A tornado on the ground was reported west of Melrose around 7:55 p.m.
Initial reports stated a total of 13 properties were damaged by the storm. By morning, the EMA determined 15 properties had been damaged in total, including:
- 1 commercial property
- 5 barns
- 9 homes, one of which is now uninhabitable
No injuries were reported, but EMS crews surveyed the area to confirm no one needed to seek medical care.
"Thank goodness no injuries were reported. EMS crews were dispatched to the area and confirm that," the Paulding County EMA said in a press release Tuesday night. "Oakwood and Paulding Fire Departments, responded to the areas of damage in Jackson and Brown Townships. AEP and Paulding Putnam Power Companies are on scene at this time restoring power to the area."
A trained spotter has reported this storm produced a tornado near Leipsic and a funnel cloud was observed near Continental in Putnam County, too.
According to the press release, a separate tornado impacted two additional properties north of Oakwood, Ohio. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service is still assessing photos and drone footage sent to them by the Van Wert EMA Director, who is a meteorologist and licensed drone pilot, the press release said.
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado was observed in Michigan's Hillsdale County Tuesday evening. Toledo Public Schools students attending Camp Michindoh are safe from the severe weather in Hillsdale, according to a TPS spokesperson.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include additional information from the Paulding County Emergency Management Agency.