Central Ohio is not known to be a big tornado hotspot, either in Ohio or the greater Midwest region. Despite this, the area has recorded dozens of tornadic events through history. This page will detail Columbus tornado history not just within the city itself, but all events across the entire metro area. Descriptions of damage come from newspaper articles, NCDC storm events summaries and other sources. Individual event tornadoes are listed by county and chronological order. Multi-county or multi-county path tornadoes are listed under the Multi-County list after individual tornadoes.
**Last updated: 9/9/2026- Began updating the page with a new photo and link format, new links and reports added, some event updates and more. Parts of Pickaway and Union counties, along with the Multi-County Outbreaks section are unfinished.
Current Weather Links
Current Tornado Warning Texts
Nexad Radar
Storm Reports
Wilmington NWS
To view all historic text tornado and severe thunderstorm advisories, the Thunderstorm and Tornado Advisory Archive lists them through 1983.
County-Specific Events
Delaware County
Delaware County has recorded 14 tornadoes through 2024.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
**See Multi-County Outbreaks**
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Severe thunderstorms moved through the area during the late afternoon. Most severe weather reports across the metro area consisted of large hail, some being up to 1.5″ in diameter. However, extreme southeast Delaware County near the Franklin County border also saw a brief EF1 tornado. No tornado warning was issued for the storm.
Radar near the time of the tornado touchdown on April 17, 2024.
April 17, 2024 Tornado Report
Monday, September 7, 2020
A line of strong storms moving through Delaware County produced a brief EF0 tornado. This tornado touched down first just southwest of the Jumper Road and Bowtown Road intersection. From there, the tornado moved generally east-southeast to Old State Road before turning southeast. It moved across Alum Creek at Howard Road and then continued southeast until just past Three B’s and K Road, where it lifted. Most of the damage in the 3.4-mile path consisted of downed trees and limbs, though at least one home had its roof partially lifted in winds that reached about 80MPH. There were no injuries or deaths.
Radar image at the time of the 9/7/2020 tornado warning.
September 7, 2020 Tornado Report
Saturday, August 20, 2016
An EF0 tornado touched down at 6:37PM just south of Buckeye Valley Middle School in Delaware County. It was part of severe thunderstorms that moved through the area during the afternoon and early evening. No warning was issued for the storm.
Tree damage from the August 20, 2016 tornado in Delaware State Park.
August 20, 2016 Tornado Report
Friday, February 21, 2014
A weak, brief tornado touched down in the early morning hours near Kilbourne.
The radar around the time of the 2/21/2014 tornado.
February 21, 2014 Tornado Report
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Severe storms moved through during the late night of the 12th into the early morning of the 13th. Three separate rounds of storms occurred during this period, with most severe weather reports consisting of wind damage. Three tornadoes were also reported in the state, with this tornado being the only one within the metro area. A warning was issued a few minutes before the event.
The radar image just a few minutes before the Delaware County tornado of 6/13/2013.
June 13, 2013 Tornado Report
Thursday, September 16, 2010
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Wednesday, September 20, 2000
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Sunday, August 17, 1997
At around 1:15PM, an EF0 touched down along Miller Paul Road about 3 miles southeast of Sunbury. The tornado was on the ground roughly 5 minutes and traveled about half a mile. The tornado damaged a pair of homes and destroyed a barn before lifting near Trenton Road. Trenton Road had to be closed for a time until crews removed large trees that had blown down into it. This severe storm was isolated and not within any watch and did not have any attached warnings.
August 17, 1997 Tornado Report
Tuesday, April 18, 1978
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Tuesday, May 8, 1973
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Sunday, April 11, 1965
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, August 14, 1958
A brief EF0 tornado touched down southeast of the 165/229 intersection in Delaware County. The 33-yard-ward tornado caused no damage, but did result in one injury.
August 14, 1958 Tornado Report
April 10, 1922
The Ohio Meterological Report for the month reported “a very destructive tornado, or tornadoes, in Champaign, Clark, Delaware and Greene counties.” However, the Columbus Dispatch the following few days only mentioned a tornado affecting Champaign, Clark and Greene counties, which caused at least $100,000 in damage. It’s unclear what impact occurred in Delaware County.
Fairfield County
Fairfield County has seen 21 tornadoes through 2024.
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
**See Multi-County Outbreaks below**
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Monday, February 28, 2011
This EF1 tornado first touched down south of Millersport near the intersection of Millersport Road and Canal Road, and then continued east-northeast until it lifted near Cattail Road just south of Walnut Creek. The tornado damaged several farm buildings, as well as at least 2 homes along its nearly 2.5 mile path. The area had been under a Tornado Watch at the time of the tornado, but only a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was actually issued during this event in Fairfield County.
The radar image at the time of the tornado.
Destroyed farm buildings from the tornado.
February 28, 2011 Tornado Report
Saturday, September 20, 2000
An EF0 tornado made a few short touchdowns in the northern half of Lancaster in Fairfield County, destroying a garage and downing trees and power lines. The 50-yard-wide tornado caused no deaths or injuries, but about $30,000 in damage along a less than half-mile total path.
A 2nd tornado, a 50-yard-wide EF1 began a short 0.2 mile path a few miles northeast of Bremen in Fairfield County where it damaged a home and garage. It caused $150,000 in damage, but no injuries or deaths.
The radar image just before the tornado.
September 20, 2000 Tornado Report
September 20, 2000 Storm Report
Tuesday, May 23, 2000
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Friday, June 22, 1990
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below*
Thursday, April 3, 1974
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, May 10, 1973
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Sunday, May 16, 1971
An EF2 tornado briefly touched down just inside the Fairfield County line just south of the Lithopolis-Winchester Road and Winchester Road intersection at around 6:11PM. It destroyed a mobile home before lifting.
May 16, 1971 Tornado News
Monday, October 8, 1962
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, May 22, 1958
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
June 25, 1877
Severe weather may have brought some tornadoes to the state. In Lancaster, it was reported that several homes and commercial buildings had their roofs blown off, and the Catholic church steeple was blown down.
Franklin County
There have been 36 confirmed tornadoes in the county since 1950.
March 30, 2025
A weak EF0 tornado touched down from a line of severe storms that moved through late on March 30th.
The radar on March 30th when the tornado warning for Franklin County was issued.
March 30, 2025 Tornado Report
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
**See Multi-County Outbreaks below**
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
An EF1 touched down in Olde Towne East on East Mound Street between S. Ohio and S. Champion Avenue at 5:53AM. From there, the tornado moved east-northeastward for 3.73 miles to a position just south of Broad Street near the Town & Country Shopping Center. The 150-yard-wide tornado damaged trees and power poles in Olde Towne East and Bexley before damaging several homes in the Mayfair neighborhood near E. Broad and James Road. The tornado lifted at 5:57AM. Damage totaled about $750K, but there were no injuries or deaths. There were no watches or warnings at the time of the storm.
September 26, 2018 Tornado Report
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Wednesday, July 2, 1997
A weak EF0 tornado spun up with a line of severe thunderstorms. A tornado warning was issued at 6:13PM as radar indicated rotation in northwest Franklin County. The tornado briefly dropped for about 2/10ths of a mile in Dublin, where it damaged 6 homes and downed trees, but caused no injuries or deaths.
The radar at the time of the tornado warning, 7/2/1997.
July 7, 1997 Tornado Report
July 2, 1997 Storm Report
Sunday, June 2, 1991
Around 4pm, a weak EF0 tornado touched down for about 10 seconds near the intersection of Morse Road and Cherry Bottom Road. The 30-yard-wide tornado traveled a less than 0.5 mile path, damaging a few dozen trees and destroying a construction trailer. Damage was in the $25,000 range. There were no injuries or deaths.
BULLETIN – EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBUS OH
535 PM EDT SUN JUN 2 1991
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN COLUMBUS HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 615 PM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY……
IN CENTRAL OHIO
…FRANKLIN COUNTY
AT 535 PM A FUNNEL CLOUD WAS REPORTED NEAR UPPER ARLINGTON IN FRANKLIN COUNTY… AND HAIL WAS ALSO REPORTED NEAR THIS AREA. THE STORM WAS MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 20 MILES AN HOUR… AND THE CITY OF COLUMBUS IS IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM.
IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF A TORNADO…THE SAFEST PLACE IS A
BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE.
IF NO BASEMENT lIS AVAILABLE…SEEK SHELTER IN AN INTERIOR ROOM
SUCH AS A CLOSET ON THE LOWEST FLOOR. USE BLANKETS…PILLOWS…
OR CUSHIONS TO COVER YOUR BODY. AVOID WINDOWS.
June 2, 1991 Tornado News
Tuesday, June 17, 1975
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, April 3, 1974
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Wednesday, May 30, 1973
At 1:55PM, an EF2 tornado touched down at the Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC) at 3990 E. Broad Street. The tornado heavily damaged 4 warehouses and destroyed dozens of cars in a parking lot. The tornado moved in a northeasterly direction from there, lifting up and touching back down several times. It struck the plant of Rockwell International Corporation at 4300 E. 5th Avenue next, tearing off most of the roof of a plant building. The tornado then hit Port Columbus (now John Glenn International) where it moved a jetliner 800 feet. Operations there were suspended for only about 15 minutes. Finally, the tornado destroyed a house east of Hamilton Road and south of Havens Corners Road. The 17-yard-wide tornado traveled about 2 miles in all, caused 2 injuries and $2.6 million in damages.
The 5/30/1973 tornado as it passed over the Airport Golf Course.
May 30, 1973 Storm Report
Friday, May 26, 1973
At around 6:30PM, the public reported a funnel cloud on the West Side of Columbus, about 6 miles outside of Downtown. The EF2 tornado touched down shortly afterward, first striking the Westinghouse Electric Corporation complex at 300 Phillipi Road. There, it blew out 450 feet of a plant building wall while removing part of the roof of another. A man in the Westinghouse parking lot was picked up and carried approximately 75 feet, but was not injured. The tornado also blew out showroom windows and knocked down signs in the area before lifting. The less than quarter-mile track of the 133-yard-wide tornado caused about $250,000 in damage. No injuries were reported.
The damage at Westinghouse Electric Corporation caused by the 5/26/1973 tornado.
May 26, 1973 Storm Report
Thursday, May 10, 1973
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Monday, February 22, 1971
A strong EF3 tornado struck the east side of Columbus at around 4:55PM, moving north-northeast from the intersection of Alum Creek Drive and E. Main Street. The storm caused multiple injuries and heavy damage along a roughly 7-mile path.
February, 1971 Tornado Part 1
February, 1971 Tornado Part 2
February, 1971 Tornado Part 3
A damaged house at 2756 Kenilworth Avenue after the February 22, 1971 tornado.
Thursday, September 12, 1963
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Monday, October 8, 1962
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below*
Friday, July 28, 1961
A 500-yard-wide EF0 tornado traveled about 1 mile along Scioto-Darby Creek Road west of Hilliard. Touching down just before midnight, it destroyed several farm buildings, caused significant damage to a pair of homes and killed about 100 chickens. No injuries or deaths occurred.
July 28, 1961 Storm Report
July 28, 1961 Tornado News Part 1
July 28, 1961 Tornado News Part 2
Damage to a home at 7207 Scioto-Darby Creek Road on 7/28/1961.
Sunday, July 5, 1959
At 4:20PM, an EF1 tornado touched down between Darbydale and Lambert Road just south of London-Groveport Road in southwest Franklin County. The tornado did not last long and caused no injuries or deaths. The only damage was to some trees and outbuildings.
July 5, 1959 Storm Report
Monday, April 28, 1958
A strong cold front spun up a brief EF0 tornado just southeast of the Dublin Road/Grandview Avenue intersection on the West Side of Columbus. The 30-yard-wide tornado was only on the ground for a few seconds, limiting damage and causing no injuries or deaths.
April 28, 1958 Storm Report
Monday, October 11, 1954
An EF1 tornado struck farm buildings at around 6:30PM at 1254 Georgesville Road. The farm had the roofs of 3 barns removed while other buildings received damage as well. Trees and power lines were also downed across the street. No injuries or deaths were reported, and damage was in the $3,000 range in the less than quarter-mile path.
October 11, 1954 Storm Report
October 11, 1954 Tornado News
Monday, June 26, 1954
An EF0 tornado briefly touched down near the intersection of Cranwood Drive and Ambleside Drive in North Columbus. The 30-yard-wide tornado caused about $25,000 in damages, particularly to trees and power lines.
June 26, 1954 Storm Report
Thursday, May 2, 1929
A tornado briefly touched down in Franklinton during the afternoon. It struck the area around 515 Sullivant Avenue, where the Columbus Police Headquarters and workhouse were located. The tornado destroyed most of the workhouse, killing 2 prisoners residing there on misdemeanor charges. Several other inmates were injured and 7 took advantage of the situation and escaped the building. The tornado also downed trees, tore off the roofs of a few houses and destroyed a gas station. The HQ and workhouse, built in 1896, were eventually demolished in 1931.
Damage to the workhouse at the Columbus Police HQ building from the 5/2/1929 tornado.
Wednesday, December 7, 1927
A very strong cold front brought severe weather and strong winds across Ohio. During the evening of December 7th, a “cyclonic” storm moved through parts of Columbus, causing significant damage, particularly to the Linden area. While a tornado was not officially reported, the swirling nature of the wind, how significant the damage was and the general southwest to northeasterly path all make it likely that at least a low-level tornadic event occurred. Even the Dispatch itself called the event a “twister”.
December 7, 1927 Tornado Part 1
December 7, 1927 Tornado Part 2
Linden Damage Part 1
Linden Damage Part 2
Linden Damage Part 3
1918
The Columbus Metropolitan Library photo archives of Mirror Lake on the OSU Campus mention a tornado felling trees and causing damage in and around the lake, requiring an extensive redesign of the area. It’s unclear when exactly this event occurred, only that it is listed as taking place in 1918. I could find no other mentions of this event.
Tuesday, April 13, 1897
A tornado struck the Driving Park section of Columbus just after 5pm. The following article clip comes from the Dispatch the following day.
April 13, 1897 Tornado News
Wednesday, July 23, 1879
Between 4 and 5pm, a storm rolled across the city with a likely low end tornado. Damage was not particularly severe, with most consisting of downed trees and limbs. However, a home under construction near Mt. Vernon Avenue was destroyed down to the first floor. Multiple sheds, a stable, the brick front of a store, chimneys and many roofs were damaged or destroyed throughout the Downtown area, as well as the Near East Side. The reported swirling motion of the winds and debris patterns strongly suggests this was a tornado.
The day also brought severe weather to Plain City in Union County, where straight-line winds damaged roofs and flattened crops.
Hocking County
The county has recorded only 6 tornadoes through 2024.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Severe thunderstroms moved through during the afternoon, particular across south-central Ohio. A weak EF-0 struck Hocking County just after 5pm. There was no warning associated with this storm, and no watches were in effect.
September 25, 2024 Tornado Report
May 27-28th, 2019 Outbreak
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, September 16, 2010
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Friday, March 19, 1954
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Licking County
Licking County has had 29 confirmed tornadoes through 2024.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
**See Multi-County Outbreaks**
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
A significant severe weather and tornado outbreak was predicted for this day in the few days leading up to the event. Despite nearly every metric supporting that outcome, a few waves of clouds and showers during the morning and early afternoon ultimately sapped much of the energy out of the atmosphere, and the few periods of sunshine weren’t nearly long enough to re-destabilize the atmosphere. While some of the storms that did arrive produced some severe weather, most of Ohio was spared. A few tornadoes, however, did manage to be produced. The only one in Ohio within the Columbus Metro Area occurred in Licking County. This storm never had a tornado warning with it.
April 2, 2024 Tornado Report
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
**See Multi-County Outbreaks below**
Monday, February 27, 2023
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Wednesday, September 20, 2000
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Friday, June 22, 1990
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below*
Monday, June 22, 1986
STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBUS OH
445 PM EDT MON JUN 23 1986
LICKING COUNTY TORNADO REPORT..
A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF NEWARK OHIO AROUND 1030 TO 1040 PM EDT SUNDAY JUNE 22 1986. STORM MOVED FROM THE WEST TO EAST, PATH 40 – 50 YDS WIDE BY 2 MILES LONG. TORNADO WAS UP AND DOWN MOSTLY UP SEVERAL HOMES WITH ROOF DAMAGE, ONE CHURCH AT WILLWOOD AND POPLAR STREETS DESTROYED.. NUMEROUS TREES DOWN. NO FATALITIES REPORTED.
June 22, 1986 Storm Report
Sunday, June 1, 1980
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Sunday, May 16, 1965
A small EF0 tornado touched down briefly on the southwest side of Utica in Licking County, causing only minor damage and no injuries or deaths.
May 16, 1965 Tornado Report
Thursday, September 12, 1963
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, June 5, 1963
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Friday, June 24, 1960
A tornado touched down around 5:30am just west of Benedict Drive in Johnstown. The EF1 tornado traveled less than 1000 feet, but managed to destroy a barn and hurl the pieces into a house at 85 Benedict Drive before taking off the roof as well. The tornado then lifted before coming down again briefly in Downtown Johnstown where it brought down trees and power lines and damaged more buildings. There was only 1 injury.
June 24, 1960 Tornado Report
Tuesday, July 22, 1958
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Sunday, May 22, 1949
A probable small tornado struck near St. Louisville, 4 miles north of Newark in Licking County. The storm did about $5,000 in damage when it destroyed a barn, some outbuildings and about 25 trees.
May 22, 1949 Storm Report
June 11, 1922
A tornado struck Buckeye Lake at about 5pm on Sunday afternoon. The tornado caused about $150,000 worth of damage and killed 3 people. The tornado destroyed at least 40 cottages and heavily damaged a busy park and bathing beach. At least one person was killed when the bathhouse was tossed into the lake. The tornado was described as funnel-shaped, with a width of about 200 feet and a damage path of about half a mile.
June 11, 1922 Tornado News Part 1
June 11, 1922 Tornado News Part 2
Wednesday, May 18, 1825
Early in the afternoon, a strong tornado moved through Burlington Township in Licking County. Described as having a damage path a quarter-mile wide, the tornado traveled at least 1.5 miles. It killed at least one person when the roof of a cabin blew into an orchard, striking a man working there. The tornado also reportedly carried an ox half a mile and a coat was carried into Coshocton County.
Madison County
Madison County has had 15 tornadoes through 2024.
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
**See Multi-County Outbreaks below**
Monday, May 18, 2020
An EF0 tornado struck Lilly Chapel in Madison County. The tornado was only on the ground for about 5 minutes on a 1.9-mile path, packing winds of 85MPH. There were no injuries or deaths.
The radar on 5/18/2020 around the time of the tornado.
May 18, 2020 Tornado Report
May 18, 2020 Storm Report
Lilly Chapel Tornado Video
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, April 3, 1974
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, May 10, 1973
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Morrow County
Morrow County has recorded 15 tornadoes through 2024.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
An EF0 tornado touched down in rural Morrow County just to the southeast of Marengo at 7:58PM. The initial touchdown was near the intersection of County Road 212 and Webb Road. The tornado continued east northeast for around two miles before lifting near the intersection of Township Roads 208 and 211. Five homes were damaged and dozens of trees downed along the damage path which was no more than 50 yards in width. Four of the five homes sustained minor damage, mostly from lost shingles or siding. The fifth, a manufactured home, lost most of it’s roof and large sections of siding. The tornado lifted at 8:02PM. It caused about $100,000 in damage, but no injuries or deaths. The tornado touched down prior to any warning, and only a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued.
The 5/11/2010 radar around the time of the tornado.
May 11, 2010 Storm Report
Friday, June 22, 1990
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below*
Perry County
Perry County has recorded 12 tornadoes through 2024.
May 27-28th, 2019 Outbreak
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, September 16, 2010
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Tuesday, May 23, 2000
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Pickaway County
Pickaway County has had 23 confirmed tornadoes through 2024.
Monday, February 27, 2023
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Severe thunderstorms moving east-northeast moved into southern Pickaway County just before 2AM. The storms had produced a series of tornadoes in southwest Ohio, with the Pickaway County tornado being the final one in the series and the only one in the Columbus Metro Area. The tornado touched down on top of a residence along Wolfe Road about 3/4 of a mile east of Rt. 23. It moved on an east-northeast path for about 2.7 miles with maximum winds reaching up to 110MPH. Its path ended north of Boggs Road about a quarter-mile west of State Route 159. The EF1 tornado damaged several homes and buildings and snapped trees along its path, but there were no injuries or deaths.
The radar at the time of the tornado warning.
October 16, 2021 Tornado Report
October 16, 2021 Storm Report
Thursday, July 29, 2021
A weak EF0 tornado with winds of up to 85MPH struck the New Holland area of Pickaway County during the afternoon. Severe thunderstorms would spawn several tornadoes across the state, but this was the only one to occur in the Columbus Metro Area. The tornado touched down just north of Dick Road about half a mile east of Egypt Pike. It moved southeast, an unusual tornado movement, for about 0.9 miles before lifting just north of Rt. 22. The tornado destroyed barns and outbuildings, and damaged one house.
The radar at the time of the tornado warning.
July 29, 2021 Tornado Report
July 29, 2021 Storm Report
May 27-28th, 2019 Outbreak
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, September 16, 2010
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Saturday, June 2, 2001
A weak EF0 tornado moved through southern portions of Circleville at around 455PM. The tornado touched down between Canal Road and the Scioto River to the northwest of Logan Elm Village. It moved eastward on a half-mile track, damaging a restaurant roof, pushing a trailer off its foundation, damaging several cars at a dealership and downing trees and power lines. There were no watches or warnings for Pickaway County at the time.
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
939 PM EDT SAT JUN 2 2001
…A WEAK TORNADO PRODUCED DAMAGE IN CIRCLEVILLE…
A WEAK TORNADO MOVED THROUGH SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF CIRCLEVILLE AROUND 455 PM EDT SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE PICKAWAY COUNTY EMA DIRECTOR REPORTED AN INTERMITTENT DAMAGE PATH OF ABOUT A HALF MILE WITH A WIDTH OF 75 TO 100 YARDS.
A RESTAURANT ROOF SUSTAINED SOME MINOR DAMAGE AND A HOME TRAILER WAS PUSHED OFF OF ITS FOUNDATION. THE REST OF THE DAMAGE MAINLY CONSISTED OF DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND POWER LINES.
THE TORNADO WAS RATED AN F0 ON THE FUJITA SCALE WHICH IS ASSOCIATED WITH WINDS OF 40 TO 72 MPH.
June 2, 2001 Storm Report
Saturday, September 23, 2000
An 25-yard-wide EF0 tornado briefly touched down in a field about half a mile directly south of Rickenbacker in Pickaway County. It was only only the ground a few seconds and caused no damage.
The radar at the time of the tornado warning.
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILMINGTON OH
500 PM EDT SAT SEP 23 2000
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WILMINGTON HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR…
PICKAWAY COUNTY IN CENTRAL OHIO…
FAIRFIELD COUNTY IN CENTRAL OHIO…
* UNTIL 530 PM EDT…
* AT 500 PM EDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 6 MILES
NORTHEAST OF ASHVILLE…OR ABOUT 9 MILES SOUTHWEST OF
PICKERINGTON…MOVING NORTHEAST AT 10 MPH.
* SOME LOCATIONS NEAR THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE…
WILLIAMSPORT…
SOUTH BLOOMFIELD…
PLEASANTVILLE…
PICKERINGTON…
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE…SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET.
September 23, 2000 Storm Report
Wednesday, October 13, 1999
At about 4:55PM an EF3 tornado hit parts of Circleville in Pickaway County. The tornado touched down first about 1.5 west of Circleville just west of the State Rt 56/22 intersection where it pulled a small shed off of its foundation before destroying a section of a construction building along Rt 22. After this, the tornado lifted and then touched down in a more developed area in town. It destroyed a building housing two businesses on North Court Street and ripped the roof off of a section of a strip mall, ejecting furniture from inside the structure. A large sign weighing several hundred pounds was ripped from its foundation and blown twenty feet away. A tractor trailer with a load of 18 to 19 tons was blown over and dragged ten feet away from where it landed. The tornado then proceeded to a housing development where several homes were destroyed along and near Fairlawn Avenue. Several roofs were ripped off and garages were either destroyed or moved from their foundations. Trees were twisted and broken off at their bases and carports were also torn from nearby houses. Damage exceeded $4 Million and there were 6 injuries. The tornado packed winds up to 200MPH, reached a maximum width of 440 yards and traveled about 3.5 miles.
The October 13th radar at the time of the warning.
Damage to a home from the 10/13/1999 Circleville tornado.
October 13, 1999 Tornado Report
Thursday, April 3, 1974
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak
April 11-12, 1965
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, June 5, 1963
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Friday, April 19, 1963
This 33-yard-wide EF1 tornado was part of an outbreak of 10 tornadoes across Ohio. It was the only one within the Columbus metro during the outbreak. It touched down for less than half a mile at 3:15PM just north of Williamsport in Pickaway County. Damage details are not known, but the tornado caused 1 injury and about $25,000 in damage.
April 19, 1963 Storm Report
Thursday, May 22, 1958
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Friday, March 19, 1954
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Union County
Union County has recorded 11 tornadoes through 2024.
Sunday, December 29, 2024
A storm system moving through the area brought rain and high winds of 40MPH-50MPH across the area. The storms were generally not severe, but a weak tornado did form in Union County during the evening. There were no severe thunderstorm or tornado warnings at the time of the event. This was to be the final 2024 tornado not only within the Columbus Metro Area, but also in Ohio.
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
303 PM EST Mon Dec 30 2024
…NWS Damage Survey for 12/29/2024 Tornado Event…
Rating: EF0
Estimated Peak Wind: 70 mph
Path Length /statute/: 0.35 miles
Path Width /maximum/: 50 yards
Fatalities: 0
Injuries: 0
Start Date: 12/29/2024
Start Time: 03:08 PM EST
Start Location: 2 SW Marysville / Union County / OH
Start Lat/Lon: 40.2158 / -83.4027
End Date: 12/29/2024
End Time: 03:09 PM EST
End Location: 2 SW Marysville / Union County / OH
End Lat/Lon: 40.2208 / -83.4015
Survey Summary:
The weak tornado began on a property near Payne Road just west of Marysville, Ohio. The tornado toppled a small silo, several small to medium-sized trees, and caused minor damage to an older barn and a few roof shingles. Additional damage occurred to a large metal barn located around a third of a mile to the north. This barn sustained
uplift of the roof along with partial collapse of the metal walls. In addition, several trees were snapped in the woods adjacent to the barn.
December 29, 2024 Storm Report
Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak
April 11-12, 1965
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Thursday, September 12, 1963
*See Multi-County Outbreaks below.*
Multi-County Outbreaks and Tornadoes with Multi-County Paths
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
A few weak EF0 tornadoes touched down across the metro area during the afternoon as thunderstorms moved through the area. No Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Tornado Watch was in place at the time, as little severe weather was anticipated.
Tornado #1
The first tornado touched down about 5 miles west of Centerburg in Delaware County.
Radar at the time of the 6/5/2024 Delaware County tornado.
Tornado #2
This tornado touched down about 3 miles southwest of Hanover in Licking County.
Radar at the time of the June 5, 2024 Licking County tornado.
June 5, 2024 Outbreak Report
Thursday, March 14, 2024
The second Ohio tornado outbreak of 2024 occurred just two weeks after the first. The outbreak of March 14th produced 6 tornadoes in the state, including a deadly EF-3. 2 of the tornadoes occurred within the Columbus metro area. Both of these tornadoes had relatively long tracks to them. Those tracks can be viewed at Storm Damage Viewer
A Tornado Watch was issued for most of Western and Central Ohio at 5:13PM.
Storms entered the state after 6:30PM, with the first tornado warning issued for Mercer County at 6:47PM. After that, a cascade of warnings were issued for the next 3 hours. The first warning for the Columbus metro area came at 7:51PM.
The radar at the time of Union County’s first tornado warning. This storm was producing an EF-3 tornado at the time.
The radar near the time that the Union-Delaware County EF-2 tornado began.
The second- and longest-tracked tornado in the metro area- touched down shortly after Delaware County was issued a tornado warning at 8:51PM.
The radar just before the Delaware-Licking County tornado touched down.
The radar progression as the EF-1 producing storm moved from Delaware into Licking County.
March 14, 2024 Tornado Outbreak Report
March 14, 2024 Outbreak News Part 1
March 14, 2024 Outbreak News Part 2
March 14, 2024 Outbreak News Part 3
March 14, 2024 Outbreak News Part 4
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Almost a year to the day after a small tornadic event in Central Ohio, another very rare winter outbreak occurred, this time much larger. A low pressure system and very strong cold front brought warm, unstable air into Ohio during the 27th and the early part of the day on the 28th. A Tornado Watch was issued at 4:40AM on the 28th, less than 1 hour before the tornadic storms entered the Columbus area.
The radar image at the time of the February 28, 2024 tornado watch issuance. The storm that would go on to cause the tornadoes around Columbus is the S-shaped red blob on the left.
The first tornado would be spawned at 4:37AM, just before the watch was issued. It would form from a rotating cell that would ultimately be responsible for 9 tornadoes in the state, 7 within the Columbus Metro itself, all on a consistent west-to-east-path across Madison, Franklin and Licking counties. The following information for each tornado includes the tornado warning texts, radar images at the time of warning and National Weather Service storm surveys.
Tornado #1
This EF1 was the first tornado to impact the Columbus metro area.
Radar at the time of the Clark/Madison tornado warning.
Tornadoes #2-#5
The radar image at the time of the Madison-Franklin tornado warning, issued just before tornadoes #2-#5 occurred.
Four tornadoes would occur across the 2nd tornado-warned area in Madison and Franklin counties.
Security camera footage of the Madison County tornado #2, near West Jefferson.
Tornadoes #6-#7
The #6 Groveport tornado and the #7 Franklin-Fairfield county tornado occurred just a few minutes after this radar image was taken.
The historical context of the February 28, 2024 tornadic event cannot be understated. While there have of course been other winter and other February tornadoes- including the aforementioned 2023 event- this is the largest single event on record for the Columbus metro in February and during the December-February winter period. Indeed, the 5 tornadoes that struck Franklin County is the most ever recorded for a single date at any time of year. The anomalously warm weather that is increasingly becoming more common during winter months is certainly playing a role in the amount of severe weather during the season. The high of 66 on the 28th and the low of 56 on the 27th both represent the warmest high and warmest low ever recorded for those dates.
February 28, 2024 Outbreak Report
February 28, 2024 Outbreak News Part 1
February 28, 2024 Outbreak News Part 2
Monday, February 27, 2023
A rare winter mini-outbreak occurred across Southwest and Central Ohio with 4 confirmed tornadoes, all of them week. Supercell thunderstorms with strong rotation moved through the region between 3PM-5PM, prompting numerous severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. 2 of the 4 tornados occurred in the Columbus Metro.
Tornado #1
The first tornado in the Columbus area touched down southwest of Orient in far northern Pickaway County, just a few miles from the Franklin County border. The EF0 tornado had winds of up to 85MPH and traveled along a southwest to northeast path for about 1.4 miles. The tornado damaged several buildings and downed many trees along its path, but did not cause any injuries or fatalities.
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
357 PM EST Mon Feb 27 2023
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a
* Tornado Warning for…
Southwestern Franklin County in central Ohio…
Northwestern Pickaway County in central Ohio…
Southeastern Madison County in central Ohio…
* Until 430 PM EST.
* At 357 PM EST, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located near Mount Sterling, moving northeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD…Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree
damage is likely.
* Locations impacted include…
Columbus, Grove City, Upper Arlington, Groveport, Ohio State University, Lake Darby, Grandview Heights, Obetz, Urbancrest, Valleyview, Marble Cliff, Harrisburg, Orient, Derby, Lilly Chapel, Georgesville, Madison Lake, Darbydale, Big Plain and Wrightsville.
This includes the following Interstates…
I-70 in Ohio between mile markers 90 and 101.
I-71 in Ohio between mile markers 83 and 108.
The Orient tornado occurred around the time of this radar image.
Tornado #2
The second tornado– produced by the same storm as the Pickaway County tornado- touched down in Licking County about 3 miles WSW of Kirkersville. This tornado also registered as an EF0, but with slightly weaker 75MPH winds. This short-lived tornado largely damaged trees on its 1/3rd-mile path. There was no tornado warning for the cell while it was in Licking County.
May 27-28th, 2019 Outbreak
In the 2nd largest tornado outbreak in Ohio history, 21 tornadoes would strike the state. The worst tornado was a long-track EF4 in the Dayton area. These same storms would go on to enter the Columbus metro and produce a handful of weaker tornadoes in Pickaway, Perry and Hocking counties, as listed below.
Tornado #1
This EF1 tornado touched down southeast of Circleville around 1AM and travelled 3.77 miles in a general east-southeast direction. The 150-yard-wide tornado had winds that reached up to 100MPH and caused damage to trees, homes and other buildings along its path. Full details on the damage can be found here:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=818384
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
1249 AM EDT Tue May 28 2019
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a
* Tornado Warning for…
Southwestern Fairfield County in central Ohio…
Western Hocking County in central Ohio…
Southeastern Pickaway County in central Ohio…
Northeastern Ross County in southwestern Ohio…
* Until 115 AM EDT.
* At 1248 AM EDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Logan Elm Village, moving southeast at 40 mph.
HAZARD…Tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE…Radar indicated rotation.
IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
* Locations impacted include…
Circleville, Kingston, Hocking Hills State Park, Logan Elm Village, Fox, Stoutsville, Laurelville, Adelphi, Tarlton, Aw Marion State Park, Buena Vista in Hocking County, Gibisonville, Whisler, South Bloomingville, Clearport, Pickaway County Airport, State Route 138 at US Route 22, Rockbridge and Hallsville.
The Circleville tornado spawned around the time of this radar image.
Damage along Ludwig-Dresback Road in Pickaway County.
Tornado #2
The second tornado in the series dropped at 1:09AM on State Route 56 just west of Salt Creek Elementary School in Pickaway County before lifting a few minutes later near Tarlton-Adelphi Road. The EF1 tornado had a 1.64-mile path and was about 75 yards in width. Winds reached 100MPH or more. More details can be found here:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=818383
BULLETIN – EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Tornado Warning
National Weather Service Wilmington OH
107 AM EDT Tue May 28 2019
The National Weather Service in Wilmington has issued a
* Tornado Warning for…
Southwestern Fairfield County in central Ohio…
Hocking County in central Ohio…
Southeastern Pickaway County in central Ohio…
* Until 145 AM EDT.
* At 107 AM EDT, a tornado-producing storm was located near Tarlton, moving east at 30 mph.
HAZARD…Damaging tornado and quarter size hail.
SOURCE…Radar confirmed tornado. Radar shows tornado debris in the air.
IMPACT…Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is likely.
* Locations impacted include…
Logan, Hocking Hills State Park, Starr, Laurelville, Tarlton, Buena Vista in Hocking County, Gibisonville, Ilesboro, Haydenville, Lake Logan State Park, Whisler, South Bloomingville, Clearport, Enterprise, Union Furnace and Rockbridge.
Tornado #2 was on the ground around the time of this radar image.
Tornado #3
At 1:17AM, the strongest tornado in the series, an EF2, touched down just inside Hocking County at the Union Road/Twp. Highway 145 intersection and moved east-northeast on a 5.31-mile path. Winds were estimated at 125MPH or higher. Both the warning and radar image from Tornado #2 are relevant for this tornado, as the tornado occurred just after issuannce. Damage details can be found here:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=817746
Tornado #4
The final tornado in the Columbus metro area was also the 2nd to last to be confirmed in Ohio (An EF0 briefly touched down from this storm in Vinton County). This 700-yard-wide EF1 touched down in Perry County at Twp. Road 71A at 1:35AM and travelled to the east-southeast on a 1.67-mile path that ended just inside Muskingum County. Winds reached at least 100MPH. At the time, there was no Tornado Warning. Details can be found here:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=817933
The 4th tornado touched down in Perry County around the time of this image.
Overall, the Central Ohio tornadoes caused about $4 million in damages, but luckily did not kill or injure any people.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
A mini outbreak of 5 tornadoes hit Ohio, 3 of which occurred within the Columbus metro.
Tornado #1
An EF0 tornado with winds of about 85MPH touched down briefly on a farm along Roberts Mill Road in Madison County at 5:14PM. The tornado damaged some buildings on the farm before lifting.
https://www.weather.gov/iln/20180403_London
Tornado #2
At 5:37PM, an EF1 tornado touched down in Grove City just south of Orders Road near the Grove City First Baptist Church. From there it moved generally northeast for 2.63 miles. Winds reached 105MPH along its path. It lifted near Stringtown Road. More information can be found here:
https://www.weather.gov/iln/20180403_grovecity
Tornado #3
The 3rd and final Central Ohio tornado of April 3, 2018 touched down in Perry County about an hour after the Grove City tornado. An EF0 first touched down just north of Baltimore-Somerset Road NE between Twp. Road 15 and Ridenour Road. From there, the tornado travelled about 1.25 miles in an easterly direction before lifting up at Bruno Road. The area is sparsely populated, so the tornado’s 75MPH-80MPH winds mostly down trees and caused damage to a few residential trailers. More information can be found here:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=741930
Sunday, November 5, 2017
A Midwest tornado outbreak brought 16 Ohio tornadoes, now the 4th largest outbreak in Ohio history.
**Coming Soon**
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
An outbreak of 15 tornadoes hit Ohio between April 19-20. The Columbus metro recorded 6, all of which occurred in the early morning hours of the 20th. This multi-state outbreak was the opening event of a very active tornadic week across the Eastern US that would eventually spawn 132 tornadoes through April 24th.
Tornado #1: The first tornado in the series came down in Pickaway County at 2:14AM. The EF1, having winds of 105MPH, had the longest path of the 6 at 4.2 miles. The tornado touched down on Main Street (Egypt Pike) on the south side of New Holland. The tornado moved slight north of due east to Rt. 207 east-southeast of Atlanta before lifting. It destroyed several farm buildings, including 3 barns and grain bin. Several treees were also downed. No injuries or deaths occurred.
Tornado #3: The second tornado touched down at 2:25AM on the morning of April 20th. Touchdown occurred at London-Lancaster Road on the border of Rickenbacker in southern Franklin County. The EF1 travelled about 2.6 miles almost due east to a point just west of Richardson Road. The 100-yard-wide tornado’s winds reached up to 109MPH along its path. Due to the area being mostly undeveloped, damage was limited. Damage consisted of uprooted trees, roof damage to two homes, downed power poles and significant damage to a large storage shed. No injuries or deaths were reported.
Tornado #3: The second tornado touched down about 2 miles east-northeast of Groveport in Franklin County at 2:27AM. This small EF0 had a path of about 250 yards and winds up to 83MPH. Touchdown occurred at Rager Road about midway between Groveport Road and US 33, and travelled eastward. Damage was almost entirely concentrated at a greenhouse complex near the touchdown site. Several greenhouse structures were damaged or destroyed, and plants and equipment were tossed about. No injuries or deaths were reported.
Tornado #4: An EF1 with winds of 110MPH touched down at 2:36AM near Baltimore in Fairfield County. It came down along Canal Road northeast of Baltimore, and then moved 2.4 miles east to Millersport Road. Damage consisted of of destroyed garage at a house, downed trees and a damaged barn. There were no injuries or deaths.
Tornado #5: At 2:42AM, the strongest tornado in the metro outbreak occurred in Licking County. The EF2, packing winds of up to 120MPH, touched down on Aerospace Drive at Ramp Creek just to the southwest of Heath. The tornado tracked east-northeast about 3.8 miles to Jacksontown Road south of Linville Road. Damage included downed trees and damage to several retail and commercial buildings. There were no injuries or deaths.
Tornado #6: The final tornado in the metro touched down at 2:48AM in Licking County. Touchdown of the EF1 occurred just northeast of Albright Road and south of Brushy Fork Road about 6 miles east-southeast of Newark. The 100-yard-wide tornado travelled about 500 yards in total. Damage included the destruction of a mobile home, snapped trees and damage to a second home. No injuries or deaths occurred.
To find out more about these tornadoes and this outbreak, go here: https://www.weather.gov/iln/20110420
Thursday, September 16, 2010
An outbreak of tornadoes across central and southeastern Ohio brought 4 tornadoes to the Columbus metro area.
Tornado #1
This EF0 tornado touched down about 3 miles south of Galena in Delaware County. First coming down just north of Big Walnut Road west of Pinehaven Drive, the tornado moved east-northeast for about 0.12 miles before lifting at Hoover Reservoir. The tornado’s 75MPH winds mostly caused damage to trees and ripped some shingles off of one house. No injuries or deaths were reported. More information on this tornado can be found here:
https://www.weather.gov/iln/20100916_Galena
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=251493
Tree damage near Hoover Reservoir.
Tornado #2
The next, and strongest tornado came down in Fairfield County. First touching down at Fairfield Union Road, the tornado moved generally eastward just north of West Rushville and Rushville before turning southeast and crossing into Perry County near the County Line Road and Twp. Road 140 intersection. The 75MPH winds in Fairfield County caused tree and roof damage along its path. As the tornado moved into Perry County, it strengthened into EF2 status with winds reaching 120MPH and a width of 800 yards. In Perry County, the tornado travelled 7 miles and destroyed 8 homes. No deaths occurred, but one woman was injured when a door hit her in the back. More information can be found here:
https://www.weather.gov/iln/20100916_WestRushville
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=251492
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=255613
Minor damage to a home from the West Rushville tornado.
Tornado #3
This EF1 tornado first touched down near the intersection of Dozer Road and Valentine Road in southwest Fairfield County. It moved east-southeast on its roughly 4-mile total path, but was not on the ground the entire time- there were likely 3 separate touchdowns. The tornado damage continued in Hocking County near Ellis Road and Middlefork Road before the tornado finally lifted. Winds were estimated to be up to 90MPH along the path. Damage to trees, farm buildings, some homes and businesses occurred along its path, particularly in the Tarlton area, though there were no injuries or deaths.
More information can be found here:
https://www.weather.gov/iln/20100916_Tarlton
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=256303
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=256305
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=256299
Damage near Tarlton.
Tornado #4
This tornado, an EF1, was spawned by the same storm that produced the Fairield-Perry County tornado. First touching down at the Melon Road and Twp. Road 211 intersection, this tornado moved east-northeast until it entered Morgan County just west of Misco, finally ending north of Ogg Creek east of Whitehouse Road. During the 4.6 mile path, winds reached up to 110MPH in the 300-yard wide tornado. 8 homes were destroyed, with an additional 28 being damaged. No deaths or injuries were reported. The NWS officially lists this event as 2 tornadoes, though their beginning and end points are essentally the same. This was just the 2nd confirmed tornado in Morgan County since 1928. More information on this tornado can be found here:
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=255614
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=255615
https://www.weather.gov/rlx/perry09162010#:~:text=THE%20NATIONAL%20WEATHER%20SERVICE%20IN%20CHARLESTON%20WV%20HAS,STARTED%20IN%20FAIRFIELD%20COUNTY%20OHIO%20NEAR%20WEST%20RUSHVILLE.
Damage to a Perry County home from the Perry-Morgan tornado.
Wednesday, September 20, 2000
On the same day that Xenia was struck by a deadly EF4, an EF2 tornado traveled a broken 25-mile path through Delaware, Licking and Knox counties. The tornado first touched down along Harlem Road about a mile north of the Franklin County line. From there it moved northeasterly for several miles. It destroyed 2 high-tension power towers and 14 homes before lifting just west of the Licking County line.
The tornado touched down again just inside Licking County just northeast of the Clover Valley Golf Club, moving generally east-northeast. At least 15 homes were damaged or destroyed along with several barns and outbuildings. Additionally, a dozen buildings at Buckeye Egg Company were destroyed, trapping at least 1 million chickens, most of which had to eventually be killed. The tornado continued into Knox County, causing damage to some farm buildings and 4 homes. Overall the 100-yard-wide tornado injured 2 people and caused about $2.5 million in damage.
Tuesday, May 23, 2000
An EF0 tornado briefly touched down just east of the Jerusalem Road/Lancaster-New Lexington Road intersection northeast of Bremen in Fairfield County. It downed trees, destroyed a shed and damaged some farm machinery. It caused about $50,000 damage along its 130-yard-wide, half-mile track. There were no injuries or deaths.
A second tornado in the family, an EF1, touched down to the east in Perry County on Jackson Township Road 371. It then moved east for about 2 miles along County Road 9 (Pen Road) where it ripped off the roof of a house, pushed a modular home off its foundation, removed the roof another trailer before destroying a barn and garage on Palomino Road. The 150-yard-wide tornado caused about $185,000 in damage, but no injuries or deaths.
Sunday, July 12, 1992
The most active tornado day in Ohio history, a total of 28 tornadoes would touch down across the state.
Friday, June 22, 1990
5 tornadoes would touch down in Ohio during the evening, including 3 within the boundaries of the modern Columbus metro area. The area was under a Tornado Watch at the time, which went into effect just after 4:30PM and went to 10PM, and included Delaware, Franklin, Madison and Union counties in the metro.
Tornado #1
This tornado touched down in Fairfield County at 8PM.
BULLETIN – EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBUS OH
804 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 1990
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN COLUMBUS HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 845 PM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY…
IN CENTRAL OHIO
…FAIRFIELD
AT 800 PM FAIRFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF REPORTED A TORNADO TOUCHDOWN ONHORNESVILLE RD. IN THE CITY OF SUGAR GROVE. A HOUSE WAS DESTROYED.
THE TORNADO WAS MOVING EAST AT 30 MPH.
Tornado #2
The Morrow County tornado did not get a warning. It touched down southwest of State Route 314 and Woodbury-Bellville Road before moving southeast for about 3 miles. It peaked in strength at the equivalent of an EF2. The tornado caused 1 injury and about $2.5 million in damage.
Tornado #3
BULLETIN – EBS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
TORNADO WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE COLUMBUS OH
822 PM EDT FRI JUN 22 1990
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN COLUMBUS HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WARNING EFFECTIVE UNTIL 900 PM EDT
FOR PEOPLE IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTY…
IN CENTRAL OHIO
…LICKING
RADAR INDICATED AND THE LICKING COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED AbFUNNEL CLOUD NEAR NORTH RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL AT 815 PM EDT. THE TORNADO WAS MOVING NORTHEAST 35 MPH.
Tornadoes Cause Havoc in Central Ohio
Sunday, June 1, 1980
An EF1 tornado touched down on the southwest side of Croton in Licking County at around 3PM. It was only on the ground a few miles, but 8 homes were destroyed, and the fairgrounds sustained heavy damage. Three people were injured.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10097793
Another brief EF1 tornado touched down on the east side of Pataskala in Licking County at 2:30PM, damaging a home and some trees.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10097792
Tuesday, April 18, 1978
An EF1 tornado touched down on the north side of Big Darby Creek to the north of Plain City east of Rt. 42 at about 7PM. This tornado tracked generally east-northeast to a point just east of the Converse Road-Mitchell Dewitt Road intersection. The tornado lifted briefly at that point before touching down again, continuing on an east-northeast path just north of the Franklin-Delaware County line. It continued through the Muirfield area, across O’Shaughnessy Reservoir and then through southern Delaware county suburban areas to a point just north of Seldom Seen Road just west of Liberty Road. Overall, the tornado’s path was about 9.5 miles long and about 33 yards across. Luckily, only minor damage was reported throughout the path.
**Note, although the Storm Events page lists this as occurring on April 19th, media articles from the time indicate it happened during the evening of April 18th.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10098835
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10098836
Tuesday, June 17, 1975
A weak tornado touched down just outside the Scarlett Manor trailer park at 555 Greenlawn Avenue in Franklin County. The tornado proceeded to destroy 3 trailers, with dozens more damaged or knocked off their foundations. The tornado lifted briefly before coming down again and damaging the roofs of 4 buildings at the Greenbriar Apartments at 910 Eaton Avenue.
A separate tornado hit Grove City in Franklin County, damaging about 30 homes in a 4-block area bounded by Parlin Drive, Yates Avenue, Hoover Road and Devin Road.
Yet another small EF1 tornado touched down briefly in SE Franklin County northeast of Bixby Road and Rohr Road.
Damage to the mobile home park from the 6/17/1975 tornado.
April 3-4, 1974- The Super Outbreak
At one time, the Super Outbreak of April 1974 was the largest tornado outbreak in US history, but was eventually surpassed by the Southeast outbreak in April 2011. Still, the 1974 event is still legendary among US tornado events, and is perhaps most infamous for producing the Xenia EF5, which leveled a large portion of the city and, along with an EF4 in 2000, cemented the city’s reputation as a tornado magnet. Ohio recorded 13 separate tornadoes, 38 deaths and more than 1100 injuries. Central Ohio itself was largely spared from the destruction that western Ohio saw, but there were still 3 tornadoes from the event in the region, 2 of which were from the same storm that produced the Xenia monster.
Tornado #1
The first tornado in the Columbus Metro was an EF2 that touched down on the border of Madison and Clark counties near the intersection of Botkin Road and Neil Road. This 180-yard-wide tornado moved generally east-northeast, barely missing London to the south. The storm paralleled Rt 142 just to the its south for much of its path before lifting less than a mile to the southwest of West Jefferson. Despite staying on the ground for almost 16 miles, the tornado’s fortunate path prevented it from hitting much of anything except farmland, a warehouse and a few farm outbuildings, and there were no injuries or deaths. The storm that spawned this tornado, however, was so severe that Downtown London was heavily damaged by high winds and had to be evacuated. It was initially assumed it was caused by the tornado itself, but storm surveys show the tornado to have missed to the south and the London damage caused by high straight-line winds. This tornado was spawned by the Xenia storm.
Tornado #2
The second tornado was a short-lived EF1 in Pickaway County. It touched down northeast of the Rt 104/Rt 22 intersection and travelled about 1 mile to the northeast before lifting northeast of SR 56. Ironically, the smallest, most short-lived and weakest tornado in the Columbus series caused the most injuries when it destroyed the mobile home of a family of 7.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10086994
Tornado #3
At around 6:05PM, a tornado touched down just northeast of the intersection of East Dublin-Granville and Hamilton Road in Franklin County. This EF2 tornado moved generally northeast for just over 5 miles, passing over 161 near Harlem Road and continuing northeast until it crossed the Franklin-Delaware County line and ending just south of Fancher Road. The 400-yard-wide tornado damaged or destroyed about 20 homes and toppled a large transmission tower. There were no injuries or fatalities. This was the final tornado from the Xenia storm cell.
For more information on this tornado, go here: https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10086991
A home damaged near New Albany after the 1974 tornado.
Columbus’ Worst Tornado
Thursday, May 10, 1973
Arguably the most significant tornado in Columbus history got its start with a storm in Northern Champaign County southwest of Couchman Road and Glady Creek at around 6:45PM. This EF3 tornado touched down and lifted numerous times, never staying on the ground for very long. The tornado first moved southeastward, passing just east of Urbana where it damaged 34 homes and several farm buildings, injuring 3 people. It then touched down again just north of Springfield and began moving more toward the east, but damage was minor in Clark County. The tornado first moved into the Columbus Metro when it touched down in northern Madison County. As it moved just to the north of London, the tornado damaged or destroyed 34 houses and caused 14 injuries. The storm then entered Franklin County on the northeast side of West Jefferson. In Franklin County, it first destroyed a mobile home near the intersection of Hall Road/Alton Road at about 8:30PM before destroying about 10 homes under construction in the Quail Hollow subdivision southeast of the Hall Road/Alton Road intersection. The tornado crossed Norton Road at the railroad tracks and then lifted. It would cause damage again by tearing the roof off a house on Big Run Road just north of 270 before damaging a business at 2375 Harrisburg Pike. It continued to sporadically damage buildings a 2380 Harrisburg Pike, 2500 Gantz Road and several homes along Dyer and Brown roads. It then struck the South High Drive-in at 3050 S. High Street, destroying one of the screens. The tornado next damaged homes, buildings and trees on Basswood Road and Stockbridge Road. After that, the tornado lifted again, before coming down near the intersection of Williams Road and Lockbourne Road, destroying the roof of a building. After that, the tornado lifted once more until it reached Fairfield County, where it destroyed a mobile home. Although not continuous, the tornado affected a path of about 85 miles overall. In Franklin County, the tornado damaged or destroyed 97 homes and dozens more other buildings. Damage was estimated above $1 million. There were also 3 injuries, but no deaths.
The 5/10/1973 tornado as it passed through South Columbus.
Tuesday, May 8, 1973
**Coming Soon**
Palm Sunday Tornado Outbreak
April 11-12, 1965
The Palm Sunday outbreak was one of the largest tornadic events in the Midwest up to that time, and still ranks as one of the deadliest nationally. The outbreak had 47 tornadoes with 271 fatalities. Ohio had 11 tornadoes during the event, 2 of which hit the Columbus metro area and will be detailed here.
Tornado #1
The most significant tornado within the Columbus metro, this EF2 touched down in Union County just west of the Delaware County line near the intersection of Smokey Road and Donovan Road after 11pm. From there it moved generally east-northeast along and just south of Smokey Road. The 400-yard-wide tornado caused only scattered damage until striking the northern sections of Radnor, destroying homes and other buildings. From there it crossed Delaware Stare Park and hit Westfield before the path ended in the far southwestern corner of Morrow County. Overall, the tornado killed 4 people and injured more than 60. It destroyed at least 25 homes and several farm buildings along its path, with damage exceeding $2.5 million.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10083991
Damage at Radnor.
Tornado #2
The second tornado in the metro areas was an EF1 that touched down after Midnight on Gibson Road north of Rt 316 to the northwest of South Bloomfield in Pickaway County. It moved generally east-northeast just to the north of Ashville and across dozens of farms before the path ended at the intersection of Marcy Road and Cedar Hill Road in Fairfield County. It touched down again shortly after and traveled across north-central Fairfield county, moving a few miles north of Lancaster before lifting again in southwest Perry County. From there, it touched down a 3rd time, traveling 3 more miles to just northeast of Somerset. The 300-yard-wide tornado injured about 10 people near Ashville and another 4 in Fairfield and Perry counties, causing damage to farms, homes and trees along its path, but caused no fatalities. It caused about $750,000 in damage along its 3 paths.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10083995
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10083996
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10083998
Damage at Somerset, in Perry County.
Thursday, September 12, 1963
Tornado #1: An EF1 tornado struck near Broadway in Union County around 11:30AM. It destroyed a barn and garage, damaged Broadway Elementary School and broke windows at Pickerington School, causing 9 students to be covered in glass, injuring two.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084280
Tornado #2: An EFO touched down at Price Field, a small airport at roughly 4588 Refugee Road in Franklin County. There, the tornado flipped and damaged several small planes and ripped a wall from a hangar.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084283
Tornado #3: The 3rd tornado of the day apparently came from the same storm that spawned #2. The EF1 hit about a quarter mile north of Pickerington on County Rd 20 in Licking County where it damaged or destroyed several farm buildings on 2 separate farms.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084284
There were no deaths from this outbreak.
Wednesday, June 5, 1963
Tornado #1: An EF1 tornado struck Trailer Terrace Court on Rt. 40 about 1.25 miles west of Kirkersville in Licking County. The tornado destroyed a trailer during its less than half-mile track. No injuries or deaths were reported.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084259
A destroyed trailer in the Licking County tornado of 6/5/1963.
Tornado #2: An EF2 tornado touched down for less than half a mile at 6:30PM about 2 miles southwest of Commercial Point in Pickaway County. The tornado lifted a house trailer off its foundations and rolled it over a fence. 2 children were injured and about $25,000 in damages occurred.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084260
Monday, October 8, 1962
A small tornado occurred in Columbus and Pickerington between 12:30AM-1AM, but while it was confirmed by the US Weather Bureau at the time, it does not show up in the official storm records at NCDC. In any case, the reported tornado first hit the Joyce Iron and Metal Company building in Columbus, taking its roof. It then hit a farm near the intersection of Refugee Road and Miller Road (Milnor?) in northern Fairfield County, damaging 4 buildings and carrying debris half a mile. No EF ranking or other data exists for this tornado.
October 8, 1962 Tornado
Tuesday, July 22, 1958
An EF2 tornado touched down in Licking County just to the east of Mt Vernon Boulevard and north of Pierson Boulevard just north of Newark at around 1pm. The 200-yard-wide tornado traveled 8.6 miles in a general east-southeast direction to a point just to the east-northeast of Rt. 16 and Rock Haven Road SE. Besides many trees and power lines being knocked down, at least 20 farms reported heavy damage to barns, outbuildings and homes. The tornado also reportedly carried a 1.5 ton boiler half a mile. This would be the first tornado from the storm, which also produced tornadoes and damage in Muskingum, Guernsey, Coshocton and Tuscarawas counties. Meanwhile, storms brought over 2″ of rain across Columbus, flooding many streets.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084507
Thursday, May 22, 1958
An EF2 tornado touched down about 3:15pm near Canal Road west of the Scioto River just southwest of Circleville. From there, the 30-yard-wide tornado traveled in a northeasterly direction, crossing Rt 23 and traveling along Crites Road. It continued moving northeast over Pickaway Country Club, passed the Pickaway/Fairfield County line less than half a mile north of Stoutsville, and ended to the southwest of the Justus Road SW and Wyandott Road SW intersection. The 9-mile path caused more than $250,000 in damage and 3 injuries. Strangely, I couldn’t find any news articles about this.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084491
Friday, March 19, 1954
At 8:50PM an EF1 tornado moved through a valley between the towns of Laurelville and Adelphi on the border of Pickaway, Ross and Hocking counties. This tornado was roughly 100 yards wide and traveled a path of about 1 mile. The tornado destroyed some outbuildings, trees and at least 4 homes in Laurelville. One home was punctured with 10-foot beams from a destroyed barn, narrowly missing a sleeping boy’s head. Losses were estimated between $20,000-$35,000. No injuries or deaths were reported.
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10083314
Damage from the 3/19/1954 tornado.
June 12, 1912
Storms hit the metro area during the afternoon and caused damage across the region. Several possible tornadoes touched down. In Dublin, the Christie Methodist Church, as well as the local Presbyterian church, were destroyed, trees were downed and several other buildings sustained roof damage. From Downtown Columbus to Linden, trees were downed, roofs were blown off, electric poles were snapped and billboards were demolished. Most of the damage in Columbus occurred between the northern part of Downtown through the Short North and east through southern Linden.
In addition, a tornado struck Downtown Plain City, causing significant damage to many buildings. In Grove City, a schoolhouse was destroyed and a few homes lost roofs. At least one person was killed in Worthington. One other interesting fact is that it was reported the storms were moving from southeast to northwest, a very unusual storm motion.
Damage at North High Street in Dublin after the 6/16/1912 tornado.
Tornado Events that will be added at a later date.
March 8, 1964
**Coming Soon**
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084287
May 16, 1965 #2
**Coming Soon**
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10084010
November 16, 1965
**Coming Soon**
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10089739
November 27, 1965
**Coming Soon**
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10089751
Ohio Tornado Statistics By Year
Tornadoes aren’t the only severe weather events in the Columbus area. The Weather History page provides links to all types of events going back to the 19th Century.
