A “large and dangerous” tornado and storms in western Ohio caused widespread damage overnight, the National Weather Service confirmed.
The weather service issued dozens of tornado warnings overnight in the region.
The storm system caused more than 70,000 power outages, affecting about 5 million people throughout the state. Roofs were torn off of homes, and debris covered I-75 north of downtown Dayton.
DAYTON: Avoid I-75 north of downtown Dayton. Our crews are assisting with debris clean up from a tornado that hit about an hour ago. Please give them and emergency crews room to work. pic.twitter.com/3RBBHarLzW
— Ohio Dept of Transportation (@ODOT_Statewide) May 28, 2019
Video from Ben Norrod as the tornado was just north of Dayton, Ohio.
Original: https://t.co/GLu7TQcJL1 pic.twitter.com/wlzrHBPcHN
— Dakota Smith (@weatherdak) May 28, 2019
“THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION!” the National Weather Service warned late Monday.
[11:09 PM] YOU NEED TO TAKE COVER RIGHT NOW ON THE NORTH SIDE OF DAYTON!!! THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION!
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) May 28, 2019
The City of Dayton encouraged residents to conserve water in the coming days.
“First Responders are performing search and rescue operations and clearing,” the city said.
Due to the widespread power outages we are asking all Dayton and Montgomery County Customers to conserve water. We have lost power to both water plants and pump stations. First Responders are performing search and rescue operations and debris clearing. #daytontornado
— City of Dayton, Ohio (@cityofdayton) May 28, 2019
This drone footage was just released on @CNN showing the damage in #Celina. #tornado pic.twitter.com/QHbRJ3SR6M
— Meg Shaw (@MegDShaw) May 28, 2019
In Mercer Country, at least seven people were hospitalized from injuries, according to NBC News. No fatalities were reported as of early Tuesday.
Celina Mayor Jeffrey Hazel said parts of his city looked “like a war zone.”
“Some of the houses were completely moved off their foundations and gone,” he said.
[Related: ‘This is crazy’: AOC says ‘casual tornadoes’ are a new threat to the country]
