EF3 Tornado — Logan, Ohio

2024-03-14 · near Lakeview Van Horn Ar, Logan, Ohio

Event narrative

The tornado began in Auglaize County at 1829EST, 3 miles north of Botkins and moved east-southeast, entering Logan County at 1843EST, just north of Santa Fe. Areas of signifincant tree damage occurred along the path of the tornado across northwest Logan County.

The tornado strengthened as it approached the village of Lakeview, producing severe damage over much of the Lakeview area, beginning along Pine Street and Poplar Court. On Poplar Court, one single family residence was destroyed, with all walls collapsed. A corridor of severe damage continued directly southeast across Main Street, where wall collapse was noted along one business building and another well built construction was destroyed. Another single family home on North Oak Street, just to the east of U.S. Route 33 and west of Indian Lake, also had all walls collapsed from the tornado. The most significant damage occurred along this stretch of Lakeview, with maximum winds estimated to be up to 155 mph, or EF-3. The width of the tornado was a half mile at this point. Three fatalities and 25 injuries occurred in the Lakeview area.

Damage, primarily of EF-2 magnitude, continued southeast of Lakeview, affecting areas near U.S. Route 33 and State Route 366. The survey team noted roofs removed from single family homes, several outbuildings destroyed and also destruction of numerous manufactured homes. One business near the intersection of U.S. Route 33 and Township Highway 239 had total wall collapse, indicative of 140 mph winds, or low end EF-3 damage.

The tornado then crossed a portion of Indian Lake and moved across Orchard Island. Numerous manufactured homes were completely destroyed in a mobile home park area at Orchard Island, with the damage on Orchard Island rated as high end EF-2.

The tornado moved over another section of Indian Lake, producing damage over a community on the eastern side of the lake, affecting Park Drive, Maple Street and Walnut Street. Several homes had their roofs completely removed, although most walls remained standing.

The tornado continued to move to the southeast, crossing State Route 366 and State Route 117 to the north of Huntsville. The tornado had weakened to EF-1 intensity at this point, with hardwood tree damage and outbuilding damage or destruction noted. Damage became much more sporadic and weaker across eastern Logan County with some minor tree damage noted just southwest of West Mansfield. The tornado is believed to have dissipated near County Road 8, just east of State Route 292.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed in an unseasonably warm and humid airmass ahead of an approaching cold front.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.4970, -83.9940)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1166418. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.