NEW WASHINGTON, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—On Thursday evening, a tornado caused damage near New Washington, moving west toward Tiro and rural Plymouth. Power workers estimated the tornado to be half a mile wide, traveling a two-mile path west on Kenestrick Rd.
Pole barns were destroyed, and farm animals were caught in the rubble. Fortunately, they remained uninjured and have been relocated.
Softball-sized hail was reported in the Bloomville area.
While no tornado was officially confirmed, meteorologists reported two parallel tornadoes moving along the same path. Wind speeds were estimated to be 55 miles per hour and above. The funnel clouds moved from ground to sky erratically, leading to tornado warnings being extended from 7:30 pm to 9:20 pm. Power was lost in the area around 7:30 pm but was restored by 4:30 am.
Events at local schools such as Wynford, Col. Crawford, and Buckeye Central were suspended during the warnings, with attendees taking shelter in the halls.
Photos of the damage were submitted by Miss Betty Rose of rural Plymouth.
Kurt Fankhauser, the owner of Wavelinc Communications, LLC, provided Crawford County Now with a precise video of the tornado filmed from 7519 State Rt. 4, north of Chatfield between Chatfield and County Line Rd. The camera was positioned on a tower on a farm grain leg.
Crawford County Now will continue to provide updates on this storm as more information becomes available.