The National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Clinton County Thursday at around 3:12 a.m. The maximum wind speed of the tornado is estimated to have been at least 80 miles per hour. No one was injured or killed in the tornado.
The tornado touched down about three miles southwest of Wilmington, NWS said. The widespread damage was due to very strong winds -- straight line winds -- and tornado damage. The area is still being surveyed for further damage.
Check out the damage below:
Portions of Warren and western Clinton County were hit especially hard by storms around 3 a.m. Check out damage photos taken by 9 On Your Sides Jordan Burgess from around the county.
House where garage collapsed because of the wind. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/1PxkZT4mCa
— Jordan Burgess (@WCPOJordan) June 23, 2016
House where garage collapsed because of the wind. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/1PxkZT4mCa
— Jordan Burgess (@WCPOJordan) June 23, 2016
Check out this bike twisted after being tossed around by the wind. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/kzA2fDMMBz
— Jordan Burgess (@WCPOJordan) June 23, 2016
Sheet metal twisted around a pole from storms on State Route 730 outside Wilmington. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/MIOInDQDvp
— Jordan Burgess (@WCPOJordan) June 23, 2016
The Outpost store outside Wilmington lost part of its roof in the storm but it is still open today. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/DV8HbVA6Jo
— Jordan Burgess (@WCPOJordan) June 23, 2016
The NWS issued tornado warnings for this area around 3:15 a.m. At one point, meteorologist at the NWS specifically said it was "highly likely that a tornado is on the ground, crossing into Clinton County." Those same meteorologists then had to take shelter as the storm moved over their office.
The 9 First Warning Weather team was on the air before the tornado even formed and followed the storm closely.
Possible tornado now crossing I-71 near State HWY 380 and Wilmington Road. @wcpo #cincywx pic.twitter.com/mpigcKVRyW
— Jennifer Ketchmark (@KetchmarkWCPO) June 23, 2016
New tornado warning Clinton Co. Likely tornado on ground near Ogden heading toward Wilmington. @wcpo #cincywx pic.twitter.com/bXAEXCfFUr
— Jennifer Ketchmark (@KetchmarkWCPO) June 23, 2016
Before 6 a.m., the NWS had already decided to conduct a storm survey. This means meteorologist from the office will go look at storm damage and look for specific markers that would tell them if it was a tornado. If they don't see that, then it will be ruled a damaging wind event. A public statement will be release this afternoon, so we should find out in a few, short hours.
Here's the exact statement from the NWS:
The National Weather Service office in Wilmington OH will conduct a storm survey later this morning for the area from near Waynesville to Wilmington in Warren and Clinton County Ohio. The survey is in relation to the severe thunderstorms that moved through the area this morning.
A tornado was also onfirmed near Washington Courthouse, Ohio, in Fayette County; the National Weather Service said the tornado touched down at 3:25 a.m.
BREAKING: Tornado just outside Tri-State confirmed @WCPO #cincywx #ohwx pic.twitter.com/xrBEhFLZxH
— Steve Raleigh WCPO (@Cincywxman) June 23, 2016
