EF1 Tornado — Pickaway, Ohio

2019-05-28 · near Stringtown, Pickaway, Ohio

Event narrative

The beginning of the tornado-related damage was observed on State Route 56, just west of the Salt Creek Elementary School. A property along this stretch of road sustained extensive roof damage in which nearly the entire roof was removed from the structure. Significant debris scatter of lumber and insulation was observed on this property and surrounding properties. Splatter was observed on the southward-facing facade of the structure, with several pieces of lumber forced into the ground of the yard.

At a nearby structure on Kime-Holderman Road, just south of State Route 56, minor siding damage was observed on the north-facing side of the home. Part of the roof of this house was also removed. Extensive tree damage was also observed near the intersection of Kime-Holderman Road and State Route 56. Another home on State Route 56, just west of Salt Creek Elementary School, had minor roof damage.

A bit further east, approximately across the street from Salt Creek Elementary School, a home being constructed had several walls removed from the structure. Additionally, a barn on a property nearby sustained some roof damage, but the nearby home appeared to have little to no visible damage.

Slightly farther east on State Route 56 and about two tenths of a mile south of South Perry Road, an outbuilding was completely destroyed and the home on the property sustained partial roof removal and wall damage/failure. Several large trees were also downed in this vicinity. The damage observed on this property, between State Route 56 and Tarlton-Adelphi Road, was some of the most significant associated with this tornado and was likely the result of winds in excess of 100 mph.

Along the western side of Tarlton-Adelphi Road, extensive tree damage and some minor structural damage was observed on several properties. Extensive debris was strewn across the nearby fields just east of these structures. However, a review of locations further east showed little to no signs of visible damage from the public access points and therefore it was determined that the tornado likely lifted here.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms developed during the evening hours along a warm front lifting slowly north across the region. Many of the thunderstorms produced tornadoes, including a few strong to violent tornadoes.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.5157, -82.7965)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 818383. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.