Storm survey confirms EF-0 tornado touchdown in Darke County

UPDATE @ 4:35 p.m.:

A tornado with estimated wind speeds of 70 mph touched down Thursday night in Darke County, seven miles west of Greenville.

RELATED: Winds rip porch off Darke County home; 'I think it was a small tornado', resident says

The National Weather Service in Wilmington said the EF-0 tornado first touched down at a residence northwest of the intersection of Greenville-Nashville and Hillgrove-Southern rods, where the porch was lifted over the house and strewn for about 150 years to the northeast. Roof damage also occurred. The debris was confined to a narrow path approximately 75 yards wide, according to the NWS storm damage survey.

Darke County Tornado Recap A look-back at the storm that produced an EF0 tornado near Greenville, Ohio on April 25, 2019.

The tornado then appeared to lift, causing minor tree damage along Hillgrove-Southern Road between Greenville-Nashville Road and state Route 502. The damage likely was caused by low-end EF-0 winds of no more than 65 mph, the NWS reported.

The tornado lifted again, with evidence of a second touchdown just east of the state Route 502 and Hillgrove-Southern Road intersection. Two locust trees approximately 18 inches in diameter were snapped, and one 30-foot pine tree was uprooted. Minor roof damage also occurred on the nearby house and outbuildings. the damage was deemed consistent with 65-70 mph winds of an EF-0 tornado, according to the storm damage survey.

INITIAL REPORT:

The National Weather Service office in Wilmington will conduct storm damage surveys this morning after severe weather hit the region Thursday.

The survey will started between 10 and 11 a.m., although the exact locations are still being determined, the NWS said. But potential survey areas will include parts of eastern Indiana and west central Ohio.

“We will be in contact with emergency managers from affected counties to determine which locations will be surveyed,” weather service officials said in a statement.

Heavy rain and winds were reported in parts of Auglaize, Mercer and Darke counties Thursday, specifically in Washington Twp. in Darke County, where one resident lost the front porch of his home on Greenville-Nashville Road.

Jim Cantrell said the winds took the 30-foot porch over the top of the roof and deposited it, along with some shingles, in the back yard.

“I think it was a small tornado. Of course, I don’t know that,” said Cantrell.

Storm damage was also reported in parts of Indiana, causing downed power lines and trees.

At the peak of the storm, thousands of northern county residents were without power.

If residents observe any weather-related damage, they are urged to report it to the National Weather Service via severe weather reporting methods or by calling 937-383-0031.

We will continue to monitor the damage reports and bring you the latest information.

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