Clinton County storm damage not from tornado, NWS team says, but tornado did hit Ross County

CLINTON COUNTY — An EF-0 tornado did hit Ross County on Wednesday night but damage National Weather Service investigators surveyed in Clinton County was caused by straight-line winds estimated at near 70 mph.

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There were no reported injuries in Ross or Clinton counties.

The “weak EF-0” Ross County tornado touched down about 6:18 p.m. on the south side of Highway 550, where several barns were heavily damaged, NWS investigators said.

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Investigators said they found consistent tree damage along a nearly 6-mile continuous path across U.S. 35 and three county roads. The tornado may not have been in constant contact with the ground over the length of the path, the investigators said.

PHOTOS: Damage reported across the region from Wednesday’s storms

The damage found in Clinton County was part of a damage survey that included Fayette and Highland counties, said weather service investigators, who were helped by emergency management agency officials in all three counties. No injuries were reported in Fayette or Highland counties.

In Clinton County, the survey focused on Careytown Road, near Leesburg, where tree damage was found.

EARLIER REPORT

The National Weather Service in Wilmington will send a storm survey team to analyze damage from Wednesday’s severe weather in Clinton County and other parts of south and central Ohio.

In addition to Clinton County, storm surveys are scheduled for Highland, Pickaway and Ross counties, NWS officials said Thursday.

Parts of eastern Clinton County were included in a tornado warning Wednesday night that was issued around 5:45 p.m.

Most of the damage reported across the Miami Valley appears to have been from straight line winds and additional surveys were not expected, NWS officials said.

Damage was reported in Fairborn after the part of the roof of the new Menards location was ripped off in the storms.

We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.

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