Fire Official Says Tornado ‘Miraculously’ Changed Direction, Didn’t Hit Children’s Hospital

Fire Official Says Tornado ‘Miraculously’ Changed Direction, Didn’t Hit Children’s Hospital
Residents walk toward their Westbrooke Village Apartment building that was heavily damaged by a tornado, in Dayton, Ohio, on May 28, 2019. (Doral Chenoweth III/Columbus Dispatch via AP)
Jack Phillips
5/30/2019
Updated:
5/30/2019

A fire official in Dayton, Ohio, revealed that a tornado was heading straight toward Dayton Children’s Hospital earlier this week.

But, according to the official, the tornado changed course “miraculously.”

Dayton Fire Chief Jeffrey Payne told the Dayton Daily News: “Miraculously, I do not know how this happened, but we are grateful it went around Children’s Hospital.”

“It amazes me. It was going in a trajectory straight for the hospital and went in a different direction before it got there,” he said.

Residents in the West Brook neighborhood cut tree limbs and pick up scattered debris the morning after a suspected EF-4 tornado touched down early in the morning in Trotwood, Ohio on May 28, 2019. (Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images)
Residents in the West Brook neighborhood cut tree limbs and pick up scattered debris the morning after a suspected EF-4 tornado touched down early in the morning in Trotwood, Ohio on May 28, 2019. (Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images)

According to the Daily News in an account of the tornado’s devastation, “Given the extent of the tornado’s devastation, officials said it’s ‘miraculous’ no one was killed or seriously injured. The word ‘miracle’ surfaced time and again Tuesday.”

On May 30, many parts of the United States were in recovery mode amid damaging storms, floods, and tornadoes.

Strong storms that moved through West Virginia on May 29, killing a 55-year-old woman in Roane County, according to The Weather Channel. A tree fell on her as she was going to her mailbox.
Eight years to the day after a devastating tornado killed 161 people in Joplin, another big twister ripped through another Missouri community, Jefferson City, Mo. on May 23, 2019. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
Eight years to the day after a devastating tornado killed 161 people in Joplin, another big twister ripped through another Missouri community, Jefferson City, Mo. on May 23, 2019. (Jeff Roberson/AP)
A section of roof remains torn from Brookville High School after a tornado hit the area the previous evening in Brookville, Ohio, on May 28, 2019. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)
A section of roof remains torn from Brookville High School after a tornado hit the area the previous evening in Brookville, Ohio, on May 28, 2019. (John Minchillo/AP Photo)
CNN Wire reported that there have been reports of tornadoes for the past 14 days across the United States, which is the longest streak on record.

“We have active periods similar to this every few years, but there is normally 1 or 2 days interspersed where the pattern shifts and we get a break with no tornadoes for a day or two,” CNN meteorologist Brandon Miller said.

This aerial image shows severe storm damage in Jefferson City, Mo., Thursday, May 23, 2019, after a tornado hit overnight. (DroneBase via AP)
This aerial image shows severe storm damage in Jefferson City, Mo., Thursday, May 23, 2019, after a tornado hit overnight. (DroneBase via AP)

He blamed the jet stream pattern over the United States, saying it has been locked in the same place for days, causing cooler and wetter conditions on the West Coast and hotter and drier conditions in the East Coast.

“Where those two different air masses meet, you get ripe conditions for severe weather,” Miller said.

Imagery from the Doppler Radar National Mosaic on May 29, 2019. (National Weather Service)
Imagery from the Doppler Radar National Mosaic on May 29, 2019. (National Weather Service)

The jet stream is forecast to shift on May 30, likely slowing down the outbreaks of severe weather.

Across the mid-Ohio valley, more severe weather is forecast on May 30, says AccuWeather. Southeastern Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia could be affected.

Wind, heavy rains, and flooding could be a factor, the forecast said.

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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