Press Release from Richland County EMA Director Rebecca A. Owens
At approximately 7:45pm tornado sirens were activated in northwestern and central Richland County. At 8:34pm Richland County Sheriff's office reported to Richland County EMA the storm had traveled through Plymouth Township in northwestern Richland County. Downed power lines and trees were reported along with structural damage to 2 homes in the area of West Road and State Route 598 in Plymouth Township. No injuries have been reported.
Plymouth Township Fire responded to the scene to assist with blocking the road until the utility company arrived. Residents were home at the time of the storm. Red Cross has been contacted to provide assistance if needed. Residents are advised to exercise caution when driving due to downed power lines and trees throughout the area.
Richland County EMA Director Rebecca Owens arrived on scene to conduct initial assessment. Debris is scattered throughout the area; portions of the roof and backside are torn off of one home. A vehicle had been flipped on its side and a camper was destroyed. Trees were twisted and snapped off along with debris wrapped around utility poles at the bottom and also where the lines connected to the poles.
Further assessment will be conducted Friday and forwarded to the National Weather Service who will determine the impact of the storm. Richland County EMA will provide updates as more information becomes available.
March 15 - 3:30pm UPDATE
Richland County EMA along with CERT team members responded to the 5000 block of West Road, Plymouth Township, Richland County, OH Friday morning to continue their assessment of the affected area from Thursday's night's storm. Crawford County EMA had provided updates to Richland County EMA earlier in the morning. No injuries have been reported as a result of the storm. National Weather Service from Cleveland deployed a team to the area to conduct an assessment. NWS has been declared an EF2 tornado beginning near Marsh/Scott Roads in Crawford County and ending near Willett/Opdyke Road in Richland County. The storm traveled for over 10 miles. NWS will be issuing a formal report. Debris is scattered throughout the area including Fenner, Lauder, Opdyke, and West Roads in Richland County.
Richland County EMA spoke w/homeowners affected by the storm. Three homes in the 5000 block of West Road were impacted. One structure is uninhabitable with major/destroyed damage along w/a small outbuilding for livestock which was totally destroyed and a pole barn had partial roof damage. No livestock were harmed. Another residence had an 50x80 pole building destroyed, trees and debris on the home but is habitable. And a third structure had siding damage, a window blown out, and a large tree uprooted in the back yard. All 3 properties are insured and their insurance companies were on scene this morning.
Individuals in Richland County with storm damage should report to 211. 211 compiles the information and forwards it to the County EMA office. EMA has reached out to Ohio VOAD for assistance with debris clean up. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Ohio State Senator Mark Romanchuk have reached out to the EMA office to offer their assistance. Property owners in Richland County should contact the county auditor's office in regards to an adjust to property tax and storm damage.
Richland County EMA Director Rebecca A. Owens at today’s Press Conference
Jette Cander Crawford County EMA Director at today’s Press Conference
Photos from Joe Lyons (53 Photos)
Drone photos from Plymouth Township area (95 Photos) from Kye Stevens EMA Administrative Assistant Huron County Emergency Management & Office of Homeland Security
Drone video from Kye Stevens EMA Administrative Assistant Huron County Emergency Management & Office of Homeland Security
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