Two people have died in Ohio after a fierce storm system unleashed suspected tornadoes on Thursday; destroying buildings and knocking out power for thousands.
Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office in Bellefontaine, Ohio, confirmed the fatalities in an email to The Associated Press early Friday.
Mr. Kopus noted police would likely discover more fatalities in the coming days; citing heavy damage caused by the suspected tornado in the areas of Lakeview, Midway, Orchard Island, and Russells Point.
Tornadoes also ripped through the community of Winchester, in Indiana, causing “significant injuries” on Thursday, according to law enforcement officials in the state.
Police were unable to confirm exactly how many people had been injured by the suspected tornado during a press conference late Thursday night.
However, Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter told reporters there had been “many, many significant injuries” reported; with police still working to understand the extent of the injuries and the number of individuals who may have been hurt.
“I don’t know where they are. I don’t know what those injuries are. There’s a lot that we don’t know yet,” the superintendent added.
Tornado Unconfirmed but ‘Likely’
The three deaths occurred at a trailer home park in Winchester, NBC News reported, citing state police. Earlier in the night, state police said they were investigating reports of deaths in the town of 4,700 people.However, Police Sgt. Scott Keegan said officials could not confirm any deaths as of late night Thursday, noting that police are still working to obtain information about any potential loss of life stemming from the tornado outbreak, including checking collapsed buildings and talking to concerned family members.
He told reporters there has been “information shared with a lot of different people” in the wake of the storm but nothing is clear, as it pertains to possible deaths. The police sergeant also warned people to avoid any buildings damaged by the tornado.
Meanwhile, nearly 50 percent of buildings in Selma, Indiana—a town of roughly 700 people near Winchester—appeared to have sustained damage in the wake of a severe thunderstorm that may have also brought a tornado, the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency said.
Despite multiple reports and sightings of an alleged tornado in Winchester, the National Weather Service said that it could not confirm if a tornado had touched down in the area.
‘Significant Damage’ in Kentucky
Two tornadoes were, however, confirmed outside of Madison, Indiana, while one tornado was confirmed in Hanover and another in Switzerland County, roughly 100 miles southeast of Indianapolis, according to the Indiana Emergency Management Agency.No injuries have been reported relating to those tornadoes but at least one home and a trailer were damaged, reports state.
“Janet & I send our deepest condolences & prayers to the loved ones of those impacted by tonight’s storms & the Hoosiers in the path of destruction. The people of Winchester are resilient & should know the state will walk alongside & support them as we pick up the pieces & rebuild.
Thursday’s storm system also unleashed suspected tornadoes in Kentucky, damaging homes and buildings and downing power lines.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement saying the tornado appeared to have caused some “really significant damage,” particularly in the town of Milton in Trimble County, and had potentially damaged more than 100 structures.”
