NWS confirms 16 tornadoes in Ohio, Pennsylvania as crews survey storm damage
As many as 16 tornadoes were reported Thursday across Ohio, Pennsylvania
NWS confirms tornadoes in Ohio as crews survey storm damage
Survey crews from the National Weather Service headed out Friday to determine if tornadoes were the cause of damage from storms Thursday that marched across areas in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
PITTSBURGH -- Meteorologists from National Weather Service offices in Cleveland and Pittsburgh believe 16 tornadoes struck Thursday as line of severe thunderstorms marched across areas in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania
Home destroyed by possible tornado near Cleveland, Ohio
Severe weather swept through Northeast Ohio on Thursday causing damage and power outages in multiple counties. A house in Wickliffe, a community east of Cleveland, was destroyed by a possible tornado. FOX 8 in Cleveland reports the roof of the home was blown several streets over.
The NWS in Pittsburgh confirmed Saturday that at least tentornadoes touched down. The first was near Warnock, Ohio, in Belmont County, with an initial estimated max wind speed between 90 and 95 mph. Another EF-1 tornado was confirmed in Jefferson County, Ohio, with a maximum wind speed of 100 mph near Mount Pleasant.
Two more EF-1 tornadoes were reported in Pennsylvania – one in Hampton Township in Allegheny County and another in West Finley in Washington County.
A weaker EF-0 tornado was found in Mt. Nebo in Allegheny County.
Survey crews from Cleveland say they believe six tornadoes formed in areas from Canton to Cleveland. Two were rated EF-0 and four were rated EF-1.
At least 16 tornadoes formed on Thursday in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
There are no reports of any injuries.
Preliminary tornado survey areas in the Pittsburgh area include northern Beaver to Butler counties, Hampton Township, Belmont and Washington counties, and southern Jefferson County in Ohio into Brooke County in West Virginia.
Duquesne Light Company crews worked through the night to restore power to nearly 2,000 customers in Hampton and Ohio townships in Pennsylvania.
"We expect the remaining 1,500 customers to be restored by 5 p.m. today, but many will be restored sooner," the utility company said.
Possibly historic
According to NWS, there have been 11 tornadoes in the Pittsburgh forecast area in October from 1950 through 2020. There were five confirmed tornadoes last weekend.
"With several possible tornadoes yesterday, it's possible we may double our all-time October tornado count," the NWS said.
Large cloud formation amid tornado warnings captured in Ohio
The National Weather Service issued 11 tornado warnings in northeast Ohio on Oct. 21, which is a record since 2005. Footage shared by Michael Connolly Thomas from near Jefferson, Ohio shows tornado-like clouds.
The NWS in Cleveland issued 11 Tornado Warnings in northeastern Ohio on Thursday -- the most given for a single day or event going back to 2005.