COLUMBUS — Richland was one of 11 counties declared in a state of emergency on Sunday due to the impact of last week’s severe weather.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency across these 11 counties:
- Auglaize
- Crawford
- Darke
- Delaware
- Hancock
- Licking
- Logan
- Mercer
- Miami
- Richland
- Union
The tornado that roared through Plymouth Township was classified by the National Weather Service office in Cleveland as an F2 on the Fujita scale of tornado intensity. It damaged three homes in the area, though no injuries were reported, including residents and livestock.
The tornado initially touched down in northern Crawford County at 7:54 p.m. and traveled 10.3 miles in the next 19 minutes before lifting near the area of Willet and Opdyke roads.
Richland County Emergency Management Agency Director Rebecca Owens said all of the property owners in the 5000 block of West Road whose buildings were damaged have private insurance.
It’s the third confirmed tornado in Richland County in the last five years, including April 2019 in Shelby, and June 2022 in a wooded area of a southeastern portion of the county.
The governor’s declaration orders all relevant State departments and agencies to lend their services, equipment, supplies, and personnel as necessary to assist in the response and recovery effort.
Agencies providing support include the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Ohio Department of Administrative Services.
In addition, Governor DeWine activated the Ohio National Guard to help Logan County officials with the clean up of storm debris on public property.
An assessment team from the 200th REDHORSE Squadron was deployed to Logan County this morning to conduct an assessment of needed support.