Logan County, Ohio – Severe storms accompanied by suspected tornadoes wreaked havoc through several central U.S. states Thursday night, leaving a path of destruction that claimed at least three lives. Officials are bracing for the possibility of more fatalities as they assess the widespread damage left in the wake of the powerful storms, with power outages further complicating recovery efforts.
The storms resulted in three confirmed deaths in Logan County, Ohio, according to the county sheriff’s office. Kentucky, Indiana, and Arkansas also experienced significant destruction due to Thursday night’s severe weather, with suspected tornadoes reported in Illinois and Missouri as well.
Chief Deputy Joe Kopus of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office stated, “3 people have been confirmed dead. We are working on identifying the victims,” underscoring the tragic toll of the storms.
In Winchester, Indiana, a suspected tornado caused substantial damage to a Walmart store and a Taco Bell, prompting authorities to restrict travel to emergency management personnel only. The tornado’s impact left Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy and his wife huddled in a closet as the storm’s ominous roar unnerved the community. McCoy recounted, “I’m shaken; it’s overwhelming. I heard what sounded like a train and then I started hearing sirens.”
Further west in Selma, Indiana, emergency management officials assessed the aftermath of another possible tornado that damaged approximately half of the town’s structures. Despite the widespread destruction, minor injuries were reported in Selma following the storm.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb acknowledged the severity of the weather’s impact on Hoosiers, expressing solidarity with affected communities as emergency response teams mobilized to address the crisis. The Winchester school district closed its doors on Friday, offering shelter and support to residents affected by the storms.
In Ohio, the town of Lakeview felt the brunt of the storms, with Indian Lake Area Chamber of Commerce President Amber Fagan describing the area as “completely demolished” by the tornado. The community rallied to assist displaced residents, with emergency crews working tirelessly to assess and address the extensive damage in the region.
Kentucky and Arkansas also bore the brunt of the severe weather, with dozens of structures damaged or destroyed in Trimble County, Kentucky, and Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear noted the significant damage in Milton, while National Weather Service meteorologist Erik Green confirmed a tornado strike in Hot Springs Village, underscoring the widespread impact of the storms across multiple states.