Most people in Greater Cincinnati assumed the recent thunderstorm in the area was too severe to have been just rain and wind. Now, it’s been confirmed.
The National Weather Service said a tornado swept through Franklin County, Indiana, June 18 and took out trees as it moved east.
At least two roofs were ripped off homes as winds hit around 125 mph – faster than a baseball pitch from some of the most elite professional players. That’s an EF-2 rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The tornado then shifted southeast into Butler County, Ohio, the weather service confirmed late June 18.
A few large tree limbs were knocked down on Schradin Road and winds were estimated to be 65 to 85 mph, about an EF-0.
In total, the tornado stretched about 5.2 miles and lasted about 10 minutes from 1:24 – 1:33 a.m.
This isn’t the end for confirmed tornadoes in the area, though.
Are more tornado confirmations likely?
Storm surveys are still being worked on or are scheduled in counties throughout Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.
Final results are expected within the next few days.
But for many, no official statement is needed to know a tornado likely ripped through their communities.
In Florence, for instance, windows were broken, trees were snapped in half, and the roof of a business near the Florence Heights shopping center was blown off.
The roof lay in a twisted pile of metal near Dave & Buster’s June 18.
Nearby, a tree smashed into an apartment building at the Paddock Club Apartments.
Three people had to be moved into another building as rain and debris gushed into their apartment.
Here’s where the weather service is conducting surveys, according to its most recent news release:
Kentucky
Ohio
Indiana
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Yes, a tornado did touch down in Butler County
Reporting by Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
