National Weather Service has confirmed Columbus-area tornado after severe weather
The National Weather Service confirmed at tornado touched down in Delaware County, north of Columbus, during severe storms on Wednesday.
Most of the damage was to homes along Fancher Road in the southeast corner of the county, according to the NWS Wilmington office. Maximum winds were estimated to be 90 mph.
As previously reported, Delaware County Sheriff ’s Office said it had no reports of severe damage as of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. However, Tyler Beckman, a central Ohio storm chaser, posted photos on X (formerly Twitter) showing wind damage to homes and a tree near the intersection of Route 605 and Fancher Road in Harlem Township in the county.
The NWS says the damage survey is ongoing, with more details still to come.
Possible tornado investigated in Northeast Ohio
The Portage County Emergency Management Agency says a tornado touched down in Windham Township, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. However, the National Weather Service has yet to issue a confirmation.
Portage EMA Director Director Ryan Shackelford said the size of the twister has not yet been determined, but it caused no injuries or fatalities. NWS damage surveyors were on scene.
Severe storms damage buildings, down trees and power lines in Bucyrus
Strong winds tore through Bucyrus on Wednesday afternoon, ripping the roof off a downtown building and downing several trees and power lines, the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum reports.
Broken glass and other debris littered the city, about 30 miles west of Mansfield.
Electricity was out for most of its residents.
How are tornadoes confirmed?
After suspected tornadoes are spotted, crews from the National Weather Service survey possible tornado damage in person.
The pattern of damage, not how much damage was caused, determines whether it was a tornado, according to the weather service. For tornadoes, with their violently rotating columns of air, damage often has a chaotic appearance, with larger uprooted trees often crossing each other. Weather service surveyors often look at larger uproots of trees to get a true idea of where the wind was blowing from.
How are tornadoes rated?
The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories:
● EF0: Weak, with wind speeds of 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, greater than 200 mph