COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s governor has declared a state of emergency in 11 counties across central Ohio struck by severe weather last week.


What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Mike DeWine activated the Ohio National Guard to help officials in Logan County

  • DeWine has declared a state of emergency in 11 counties across central Ohio struck by severe weather last week

  • The storms also left trails of destruction across parts of Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas

Gov. Mike DeWine also activated the Ohio National Guard to help officials in Logan County, where three deaths were confirmed, with the cleanup of storm debris on public property. DeWine announced the emergency declaration Sunday.

The declaration also covers Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Mercer, Miami, Richland and Union counties. It orders all relevant state departments and agencies to lend their services, equipment, supplies, and personnel to aid in response and recovery efforts, the governor’s office said.

Thursday night’s storms claimed three lives in the Indian Lake area of Logan County, one of the hardest-hit regions.

The storms also left trails of destruction across parts of Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas. About 40 people were injured and dozens of homes were damaged in one Indiana community. Tornadoes were also reported in Illinois and Missouri.

The National Weather Service confirmed nine tornadoes in Ohio, including an EF3 that began in southern Auglaize County near Fryburg and continued through the Lakeview area in northern Logan County. Forecasters say EF3 tornadoes can pack winds of 136 to 165 mph.

EF2 tornadoes – which forecasters say can have winds of 111 to 135 mph — were confirmed in central Union County and in Darke and Miami counties as well as in Crawford/Richland counties.