CELINA, OH – Ohio residents faced scenes of devastation Friday as they began cleaning up after a swarm of tornadoes ripped through the region. At least three people were killed in deadly chaos, and many homes were left in splinters.
Blaine Schmidt, whose house was heavily damaged, felt fortunate to have survived the onslaught. “I’m lucky to be alive,” Schmidt said as he surveyed the wreckage of his home. He and his roommate had huddled in a bathtub for protection as the storm tore through their neighborhood. His living room was exposed to the elements, and a neighbor’s home was completely destroyed as a result of the storm.
The powerful storms left a trail of shattered houses and uprooted trees across portions of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Arkansas late Thursday. One Indiana community reported dozens of damaged homes and about 40 injuries. Tornadoes were also suspected in Illinois and Missouri.
The hardest-hit area seemed to be Indian Lake in Ohio’s Logan County, northwest of Columbus. Sheriff Randy Dodds confirmed at least three deaths in the county.
Search and rescue crews, accompanied by cadaver dogs, were combing through devastated neighborhoods Friday. Overnight, their efforts had been hampered by fallen trees and gas leaks.