MOUNT VERNON — The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado moved through Knox County on Monday night, during a violent summer storm that damaged properties and left thousands without electricity.
Kirk Lombardy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Cleveland office, told Knox Pages that officials with the agency had just confirmed the tornado Wednesday afternoon, following a one-day investigation. The Knox County Emergency Management Agency was alerted of the confirmation at 3 p.m.
NWS officials believe the tornado touched down near Chesterville, in Morrow County, at 11:22 p.m. Monday. It then traveled southeast, crossing Township Road 180 before entering Knox County. The tornado dissipated in Liberty Township, between Fredericktown and Mount Vernon – south of Green Valley Road and west of Cochran Road.
The tornado is believed to have traveled 7.1 miles. NWS officials believe it reached wind speeds of 105 miles per hour, earning an EF-1 classification (albeit on the high end), and it also spanned 25 yards wide during its trajectory.
EF-1 tornadoes are characterized by the NWS as “moderate,” reaching wind speeds of 86-110 miles per hour. They rank higher than EF-0 tornadoes (with wind speeds of 65-85 miles per hour), but lower than EF-2 tornadoes (with wind speeds of 111-135 miles per hour).
No injuries or fatalities were reported as a result of this tornado, NWS officials said. The estimated cost of damages is unknown at this time.
The NWS said in a public information statement Wednesday that the tornado’s path was clear, given the damage surrounding it.
“In Chesterville, and along the path of damage, numerous trees were uprooted or snapped, including a couple that landed on buildings. Convergent patterns were also noted in farm fields,” the NWS stated.
“In Green Valley, a detached garage was completely destroyed, with cinder blocks thrown approximately 20 yards into the field across the street. In addition, a barn was destroyed and farm equipment displaced 200 to 300 yards southeast. Trees and power poles continued to be damaged before it dissipated near Cochran Road.”
James DeChant, deputy director for the Knox County Emergency Management Agency, said NWS officials and local first responders conducted a storm damage survey in southeastern Morrow County and western Knox County on Tuesday.
“They looked at the Fredericktown area and the Green Valley area, which is where we had reports called in from, as well as photos sent,” DeChant said.
Those who suspect a tornado may have passed through their neighborhood are encouraged to send photos – and the address where they were taken – to the National Weather Service for review.
Monday night marked Knox County’s first tornado since Aug. 3, 2006, according to two sources: the website tornadoproject.com, which has catalogued every tornado in Ohio from 1950-2012; and the National Centers for Environmental Information, which tracks current-day severe weather events.
One person was injured in the event 15 years ago.
To learn more about Knox County’s extensive tornado history, read this column written by Mark Sebastian Jordan in April 2019.
TWO OTHERS CONFIRMED: This wasn’t the only tornado in north central Ohio on Monday night.
Another occurred in Morrow County just moments earlier, according to the NWS. The tornado touched down in Mount Gilead at 11:17 p.m. before traveling three miles to Chesterville, reaching speeds of 97 miles per hour.
“Along the path, numerous trees were uprooted and snapped, with areas of convergence noted,” the NWS reported. “Near the start of the path on Township Road 46, numerous farm buildings sustained damage ranging from complete loss of a roof to compromised exterior walls.
“Farm equipment was displaced, including a trailer which was tossed approximately 30 yards. Near Township Road 86, numerous 2×4 planks impaled the sides and roofs of structures.”
A tornado touched down in Richland County as well, near Butler at 11:33 p.m. It traveled 5.8 miles, reaching speeds of 105 miles per hour before dissipating in Perrysville (Ashland County).
“The tornado touched down and destroyed an outbuilding near Possum Run Road and Snyder Road,” the NWS reported. “The tornado tracked eastward south of Possum Run Road and produced extensive tree damage as it moved east and remained south of Pleasant Hill Lake.
“The tornado then turned southeast and became more intermittent and entered Mohican State Park and produced additional tree damage.”
All three tornadoes in north central Ohio on Monday night were EF-1s. While they damaged property, no injuries or deaths were reported.
