Reports of tornadoes emerged as severe storms swept through Indiana and Kentucky, with a half-mile-wide tornado hitting northwestern Ohio on Thursday, according to officials and news sources.
In eastern Indiana, authorities stated that a tornado likely struck a trailer park in Winchester, as reported by 13 WTHR, an NBC News affiliate. However, meteorologists are still working to confirm the touchdown of a tornado in that area.
“Radar data and reports from spotters and local officials strongly suggest a tornado,” said Joseph Nield, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, in a phone interview on Thursday.
A Weather Service team is scheduled to visit Winchester on Friday morning to assess the situation, he added.
Meanwhile, in Jefferson County, Indiana, officials reported significant damage, according to Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police on social media. “A tornado has reportedly touched down across Jefferson County, Indiana,” he wrote. “Multiple homes are damaged, with trees and power lines down.”
Sheriff Ben Flint of Jefferson County told The Associated Press that three or four single-family homes and several other structures were destroyed. Additionally, several unoccupied recreational vehicles along a river were also demolished. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported.
Earlier on Thursday night, the National Weather Service in Cleveland issued a warning about a “very dangerous half mile wide tornado” causing damage to homes and structures. The agency later mentioned on social media that it was monitoring two tornadic rotations, one in Crawford County, just south of Chatfield, and a stronger one in northern Ashland County, near Nankin and Polk.
Authorities in Ohio are still evaluating the severe storm damage in a lakeside mobile home community near Lakeview, Ohio.
Tornadoes were also reported in Gallatin and Trimble Counties in Kentucky, near Louisville, according to Gov. Andy Beshear.
