A deadly string of tornadoes and storms, including a rare double-spouted twister, tore through the midwest Thursday night, killing at least three people in Ohio, destroying homes and businesses - and leaving emergency officials fearing that the casualty count will increase.
Authorities on Friday began to survey the damage left by the storms in parts of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Arkansas. Suspected tornadoes also touched down in Illinois and Missouri, the Associated Press reported.
In Ohio, a suspected tornado slammed into a trailer park about 70 miles northwest of Columbus, killing at least 3 people, USA Today reported.
"It's one hell of a mess up there," Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds told the Columbus Dispatch. "It looks like a war zone."
He told NBC's "Today" show that cadaver dogs will be brought in.
"I do anticipate finding additional deceased persons, unfortunately, today," he said.
Sam Shamburger posted a video of the two spouts ripping through the Ohio countryside.
Some amazing #tornado videos on TikTok from today - here’s one with an incredible double vortex structure from Ohio pic.twitter.com/CA836b7QVE
— Sam Shamburger (@shamnadoes) March 15, 2024
"Some amazing #tornado videos on TikTok from today - here's one with an incredible double vortex structure from Ohio," he said. In Indiana, State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter said he wasn't aware of any deaths, but said buildings and homes in Winchester, about 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis, were "completely destroyed" and some families "lost everything," USA Today reported. He said crews will search the collapsed building for survivors. Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy said he was at home when the tornado hit. "I'm shaken; it's overwhelming," McCoy said, noting that he and his family sought safety in a closet, USA Today reported. "I was just stunned because I heard what sounded like a train ... and then my wife got a text from a friend ... her parents live down the road and their house was gone."
