EF1 Tornado — Auglaize, Ohio

2023-04-01 · near Uniopolis, Auglaize, Ohio

Event narrative

This tornado started at 2354 EST, March 31st, 2023 and ended at 0007 EST, April 1st, 2023 in Auglaize County, Ohio. The injuries occurred just before midnight EST so were included in the March 2023 Storm Data for Ohio, Southwest.

The first sign of visible damage associated with this tornado occurred on Owl Creek Road. At one residence, two large trees were knocked down while a barn was destroyed at another residence. The tornado strengthened as it moved to the northeast, removing a significant portion of a warehouse building roof and snapping several power poles. Just northeast of here, a large commercial greenhouse was completely leveled. The tornado then crossed the intersection of U.S. 33 and Interstate 75, causing significant roof damage and partial exterior wall collapse to an industrial building. At this point, the tornado was at its strongest with estimated winds of up to 110 mph.

On the east side of Interstate 75 and just north of U.S. 33, a truck stop experienced significant damage and a few semi-trailers were blown over. Just northeast of here, a private campground suffered significant damage. At the campsite, numerous trailers were flipped over and a large meeting hall had its roof removed. Several trees were also knocked down. Seven people were injured when the trailers were flipped at the campground.

As the tornado continued northeast, several farmhouses were damaged and outbuildings were damaged or destroyed between Wapakoneta and Uniopolis, particularly along Middle Pike. Considerable debris was noted in nearby fields. A historic brick school building was also destroyed on Brown Road. Numerous trees were also snapped and uprooted along the path. Sporadic damage to trees and outbuildings continued to the northeast before the tornado apparently lifted near the Auglaize/Allen County line.

This tornado started at 2354 EST, March 31st, 2023 and ended at 0007 EST, April 1st, 2023 in Auglaize County, Ohio. The injuries occurred just before midnight EST so were included in the March 2023 Storm Data for Ohio, Southwest.

Wider weather episode

Showers and thunderstorms overspread the area during the early morning hours ahead of a strong low pressure system and an associated cold front that were moving through the Ohio Valley.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.5956, -84.0702)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1086738. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.