The same storm system that knocked out power across Butler County on Tuesday spawned at least two confirmed tornadoes in neighboring counties, the National Weather Service reported after completing damage surveys Wednesday.
An EF-1 tornado with peak winds near 90 mph touched down in Pierce Township in Clermont County, about 18 miles from Cincinnati. A weaker EF-0 tornado was confirmed near Hamersville in Brown County.
No injuries were reported from the Clermont County tornado, Clermont County EMA Director Shawn Riley told county commissioners at a meeting Wednesday.
Damage path
Tornado warnings were issued around 3 p.m. Tuesday, with reports of debris in the air. The NWS Wilmington office confirmed the tornado just before 8:45 p.m. that evening.
Survey teams documented a clear path of destruction. The first evidence appeared at Pierce Reserve & Trails on Pond Run Road, where numerous large tree limbs were knocked down. The tornado strengthened as it moved southeast onto Mott Road, where roof damage was observed at a two-story home and trees were snapped in an adjacent wooded area.
Damage became more sporadic farther southeast, according to the NWS, with additional tree damage at a residence on OH-132 and Wildfire Way. The tornado appears to have ended along New Richmond Nicholsville Road, where large tree limbs were downed.
A final NWS assessment is pending.
Butler County connection
The Tuesday storm system also triggered widespread power outages across Butler County. The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency issued an ozone advisory for Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren counties that remained in effect until midnight Wednesday, warning that ozone levels could approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
The agency advised residents to carpool, refuel vehicles after 8 p.m. and avoid idling to reduce ozone levels.
The NWS also confirmed tornadoes in Owen County, Kentucky and Mahoning County near Youngstown from the same system. Additional surveys were underway in several Kentucky counties as of Wednesday.
Residents who experienced storm damage can contact the Butler County Emergency Management Agency at 513-785-5810.
