Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Wilmington, OH

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000 NOUS41 KILN 290214 PNSILN OHZ055-056-291415- Public Information Statement National Weather Service Wilmington OH 914 PM EST Wed Feb 28 2024 ...NWS DAMAGE SURVEY FOR 02/28/2024 TORNADO EVENT... ...Franklin/Licking County Tornado... Start Location...3 E Gahanna in Franklin County OH End Location...1 W Granville South in Licking County OH Date...02/28/2024 Estimated Start Time...05:49 AM EST Estimated End Time...06:03 AM EST Maximum EF-Scale Rating...EF2 Estimated Maximum Wind Speed...120 mph Maximum Path Width...300.0 yards Path Length...14.0943 miles Beginning Lat/Lon...40.0221 / -82.8191 Ending Lat/Lon...40.0568 / -82.5595 * Fatalities...0 * Injuries...0 ...Summary... With considerable assistance from the State of Ohio EMA, the Franklin County EMA, and the Licking County EMA, the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio surveyed tornado damage from eastern Franklin into western Licking County. The tornado began in the Havens Corners area near the intersection of Highway 605 and Havens Corners Road, and quickly strengthened as it moved through the Havenswood neighborhood in Franklin County, producing tree and minor structural damage indicative of winds between 85 mph and 100 mph. The tornado continued to rapidly strengthen as it approached McOwen Road, where considerable tree damage was observed, with numerous stands of soft and hard wood trees snapped off completely or uprooted. A shipping container was tossed, and a home suffered extensive roof loss and the loss of one exterior wall, with debris thrown hundreds of yards downstream. In this area, winds were estimated to be around 120 mph. The tornado began weakening just a bit as it crossed into Licking County, but still produced a wide swath of tree and structural damage along its path across Graham Road SW and Highway 41. Structural damage was mainly in the form of windows blown out, destroyed barns, and minor roof removal. The tornado continued to slowly weaken as it moved east-northeast from the Jersey area toward the southwest side of Granville where it dissipated. Along this stretch, mainly tree and very minor structural damage was noted. EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following categories: EF0...Weak......65 to 85 mph EF1...Weak......86 to 110 mph EF2...Strong....111 to 135 mph EF3...Strong....136 to 165 mph EF4...Violent...166 to 200 mph EF5...Violent...>200 mph * The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data. Binau/BEI $$

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