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EF1 tornado in Hardin County, Ohio

Tornado August 12, 2023 · Hardin County, Ohio

EF1
Rating
2.2 mi
Path length
200 yd
Path width
$250K
Damage as recorded
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated

The path drawn at its surveyed width of 200 yards (0.11 mi) — zoom in and the swath grows to true scale. Other tornadoes recorded nearby that day are shown faint.

What EF1 means. On the Enhanced Fujita scale, EF1 is moderate damage: roofs badly stripped, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, windows broken, consistent with estimated gusts of 86–110 mph. The rating comes from a survey of the worst damage after the storm, not from a wind measurement, so it says as much about what the tornado hit as about how strong it was.

What the National Weather Service wrote

The tornado first touched down in the vicinity of west Espy Street and Robinson Avenue. Some minor tree limb damage was noted, with some sheet metal damage to buildings in this area, including roof damage to one structure between west Espy Street and U.S. Route 68. Damage was more significant and concentrated in a neighborhood near Detroit Street and Main Street, especially between Railroad Street and Letson Street. Numerous trees and large limbs were downed and numerous homes and garages had at least some minor roof or fascia damage. The winds were likely the strongest just north of Letson Street, where one garage was flattened and another outbuilding had its roof and second floor removed. Debris from these structures could be found at least a quarter mile downstream. Winds at this location were estimated to be about 90 mph. Additional tree damage and minor structural damage was noted on the east side of Main Street, extending from near the Hardin County Sheriff's Office through Brumm Street.

Additional tree damage was observed on the north side of the Scioto River, near and south of Lick Street. This includes one grove of trees south of the end of Stevens Street, with several tree tops snapped off. The tornado then traversed an uninhabited area but minor tree damage was noted near the intersection of Bales Road and County Road 175. In addition, small pieces of insulation were found near this intersection and in the field to the east. This is where the tornado ended.

The wider storm

Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed as a cold front moved through the Ohio Valley.

Began near Kenton (40.6400, -83.6100).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event 1109585. Narratives are written by the National Weather Service forecast office that issued the report.

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