Multiple tornadoes confirmed in rural Ohio
The National Weather Service officially confirmed that at least seven tornadoes struck during the severe weather event on May 7 in Ohio where Shelby was bracing for the possibility of a tornado.
Shelby was placed under a tornado watch that spanned multiple counties across the state. None of the tornadoes reached Shelby or Richland County.
In all across Ohio, media reports indicated 11 tornadoes that night. Tornadoes were confirmed in counties that included Warren, Darke, Mercer, Auglaize, Paulding and Putnam. No one was hurt.
The weather agency provided detailed descriptions of multiple tornadoes, information shared via social media and public information statements.
In Arthur, Ohio, an EF-0 tornado was reported. The tornado touched down briefly along Road 166 between Road 191 and Ohio 66. It was on the ground for about a minute and covered a half-mile path. This information was confirmed in coordination with emergency management officials.
Additionally, a brief tornado was spotted by a trained spotter south of Belmore, Ohio. The EF-U tornado touched down in a field just east of Little Yellow Creek, south of Iams Avenue, and west of Road 4 around 8:54 p.m. on May 7. No damage was reported from this incident.
Further updates have been made regarding the Melrose, Ohio EF-1 tornado, previously confirmed by the NWS.
Following additional assessments, the tornado’s start time, duration, and path length were updated. The tornado’s total path length was 6.18 miles, with new damage reported near Broughton, Ohio.
The National Weather Service continued to analyze the events of May 7 and could update the number of confirmed tornadoes as more information becomes available.
The public is encouraged to refer to the NWS’S social media updates and its website for the most current information and detailed public information statements.
Shelby, Willard and regional communities and counties were placed under a tornado watch at 8:33 p.m. May 7 through a weather service bulletin.
Residents in the affected areas, which included Ashland, Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Richland, Stark, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Washington, and Wayne counties, were advised by the weather service to stay alert for potential tornado activity.
A tornado watch indicates favorable conditions for tornadoes to develop rapidly and unexpectedly.