Tornados, severe storm wreak havoc on Logan County
Indian Lake area takes brunt of severe weather
UPDATE — Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds confirmed with Examiner staff about 7:30 a.m. Friday that Thursday’s storm killed three people here and left numerous others injured.
Tornados ripped through Logan County Thursday night, reportedly touching down in Russells Point and in the neighboring communities of Jackson Center and Wapakoneta.
Mass casualties and possible fatalities in the county have been reported by emergency response personnel, although no confirmed numbers were available as of 12:25 a.m. Friday.
Law enforcement scanner traffic indicated that a “mobile morgue” was en route from Reynoldsburg to the Indian Lake area about 12:30 a.m. Friday.
Numerous homes, businesses, vehicles and other property was destroyed or severely damaged in the Indian Lake region.
Steve Austin’s at the Lake, Luxe Salon, Padrone’s Pizza, Captain’s Point, Osgood Bank, All-Around Accounting, Lakeview Hardware and Community Markets were some of the businesses reportedly damaged in Lakeview and the roof was ripped off Indian Head Roadhouse.
The Lakeview Laundromat was destroyed.
Orchard Island was inaccessible because of felled trees and gas leaks. Some people were reportedly trapped in their homes on the island.
Several businesses, schools and organizations were set up as emergency shelters for storm victims. Among them were Indian Lake Schools, Indian Lake Rollarena, Huntsville Fire Department, Indian Lake Community Church, and Bellefontaine First Church of God.
Honda Transmission canceled third shift Thursday night and issued a two-hour delay for its first shift associates.
Downed trees, power lines and flooding closed various parts of U.S. Route 33, and state routes 708, 235, 366, 117, 720 etc.
A barn was reportedly destroyed south of Rushsylvania, and hail damaged businesses in the village.
Some 5,000 Logan County residences were reportedly without power, according to AES and Logan County Co-op. Downed and low-hanging power lines made travel for first responders and other motorists hazardous.
Logan County EMA “is NOT requesting volunteers” in the Indian Lake area as of about midnight Friday via Facebook. Mary Rutan Hospital made a similar request early Friday of not needing volunteers.
Law enforcement recommends people shelter-in-place and do not travel in storm-affected areas unless absolutely necessary.
Storm-related information, photos and video may be sent to [email protected] and [email protected].
Updates on storm damage and ways to help storm victims will be provided as information becomes available.
