CELINA – At least eight people have been injured after a tornado tore through a small western Ohio city that appeared to take the brunt of stormy weather Sunday.
Confirmed tornado in western Mercer County. EF2, 120 mph, 8 mile length, originating in Indiana. #INwx #ohwx pic.twitter.com/3kwxkZQFoU
— NWS Wilmington OH (@NWSILN) November 6, 2017
Severe storms of the kind usually associated with spring in Ohio also dumped a record amount of rain on the Columbus area, closing roadways and knocking out power to thousands.
Mercer County officials say six people were hurt at a restaurant in Celina, one person was hurt at another business, and another was injured in a car crash after a utility pole fell.
None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
Several businesses sustained heavy damage. Downed trees and power lines also were reported.
Elsewhere in the county, farmers helped rescue nearly 400 cows from a flattened barn.
Schools in Celina will be closed on Monday due to the storm damage.
The Weather Service reportedly measured 1.72 inches of rainfall at John Glenn Columbus International Airport Sunday, a record for that date, and American Electric Power reported more than 3,500 customers – mostly on the North Side and in Worthington – were still without electricity early Monday morning.
High water shut down SR 752 between US 23 and Long Street in Ashville, in Pickaway County.
The storms swept into northeast Ohio, leaving tens of thousands of customers without power and forcing some school cancellations.