EF1 Tornado — Ashland, Ohio

2007-08-09 · near Sullivan, Ashland, Ohio

Event narrative

A storm survey was conducted and an EF1 tornado was confirmed in northeastern Ashland County. The tornado touched down northeast of Sullivan along Black River School Road just to the west of the Medina County line. Two school buildings were damaged by the tornado. One of the schools lost a section of roofing over a gymnasium. Sections of roofing along the remainder of the building were lifted and buckled by tornado winds. Significant amounts of rain water got into the building as a result of this roof damage. Water damage in the school was extensive and the gymnasium floor will need replacement. A modular building used as a classroom also sustained damage. Fences surrounding recreational fields at the school were also damaged. A house across the road from the schools was slightly damaged and a communication tower nearby was toppled. Many trees were downed. The tornado had a damage path around one half mile in length and about 30 yards in width.

Wider weather episode

A frontal boundary was oriented west to east across central Ohio. The surface frontal boundary, in combination with upper level atmospheric support, allowed for severe thunderstorms to develop across the region. Many of the thunderstorms that day were severe, and even a few tornadoes developed across northern Ohio.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (41.0556, -82.1961)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 55553. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.