‘Was too late’: Man’s home destroyed in Windham tornado

WINDHAM , Ohio (WJW) — A confirmed EF-1 tornado with winds of 110 miles per hour damaged several buildings and even impacted semis on the Ohio Turnpike in Windham while it was on the ground for six minutes in Windham Thursday.

Resident Dan Harvey’s home was completely destroyed while he was in his dining room when it hit at around 6:45 p.m.

“The lights went out, or the power went out, and the house it really started moving a little bit, so I tried to grab the girls, and it was too late,” he said. “The windows blowed out as you can see.”

According to the National Weather Service, the tornado began near the intersection of state Route 303 and Stanley Road. It started as an EF-0 and downed trees and damaged roof on several buildings. it then continued northeast toward Bryant Road, where it caused significant damage to a large garage and moved a shed several yards.

It crossed the Ohio Turnpike, impacting three tractor-trailers and closing the highway for hours.

North of the Ohio Turnpike and off Bryant Road, it heavily damaged a mobile home, flipped over a car and boat and caused other minor structural damage.

The area of Parkman Road, Crestview Drive, Wisteria Street and Geneva Drive received the greatest wind damage; two homes were shifted off their foundations, and numerous large trees were downed onto some homes.

The tornado dissipated near Silica Sand Road after a 3.5-mile trek.

Resident Alliyah Jones was able to capture video of the tornado out an open door in the Bryant Road area.

Most of the state was under a tornado watch, and tornado warnings were issued for several counties during the severe storms that swept through Ohio Thursday evening.

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