Ohio Department of Transportation A Dayton tornado damage photo.
Tornadoes touched ground in the Dayton, Ohio area, and were spotted in several counties, as live scanner audio captured unfolding search and rescues, with rescuers reporting demolished houses and businesses and trapped people. You can see photos and videos throughout this article documenting significant damage.
Everyone, I was just direct hit by a tornado here in dayton ohio. The street and houses are all in shambles. Live power lines everywhere. I will keep everyone updated.
In the morning, Montgomery County announced there were widespread power outages but no fatalities and released this map of affected areas. A death was reported in Mercer County after a car went into an elderly person’s home. He was named as Melvin Delhanna.
Montgomery County. Affected areas in Montgomery County
“You can definitely see the path of the tornado…there is extensive property damage, residences, businesses, trees uprooted, power outages, gas. It’s pretty extensive,” the Montgomery County sheriff, Rob Streck, said on NBC. He said there had been no serious injuries, calling that “amazing when you see the amount of damage that was done.” He said secondary search teams were going out to look inside houses, however. “There are some rural areas that were affected.” He mentioned Trotwood and Brookville. In a press conference, authorities indicated there were three minor injuries.
This is 2 minutes and 15 seconds of video taken of the path of the tornado in Brookville last night with my drone… just crazy
Photos captured scenes of great devastation.
This house, garage, cabin, cars, barn in Jamestown all destroyed. @Local12
“A large, dangerous tornado touched down last night in northwest Montgomery County, we are focused on supporting life saving measures, such as shutting down gas lines or locating people who are trapped by debris. Call 911 or contact your local fire station for emergency assistance,” that county wrote on Twitter.
A large, dangerous tornado touched down last night in northwest Montgomery County, we are focused on supporting life saving measures, such as shutting down gas lines or locating people who are trapped by debris. Call 911 or contact your local fire station for emergency assistance
The damage to the Dayton metropolitan area was described as “catastrophic” and “unbelievable.” In Trotwood, the mayor reported “extensive” damage throughout the community. Pictures emerged of the damage. At least 12 people were injured in Mercer County, Ohio. Tornadoes were spotted in Darke, Mercer, Miami and Montgomery Counties, according to WHIO-TV.
A home in #Dayton #ohio #tornado unfortunately there may be many of these scenes come sun up #wlwt #wlwtweather @wlwt @RandiRicoWLWT @AllisonWeather @WeatherManCam_
“Two shelters in western Ohio have been set up due to severe storms: one in Greene County and another in Mercer County. Greene County: Hawker Church, 1617 N. Longview St., Beavercreek, Ohio, 45432. Mercer County: Coldwater Eagles Lodge, 101 W. Walnut St. Coldwater, Ohio, 45838,” the Ohio Emergency Management Agency wrote. People were described as having to climb over trees to check on their families:
People have to literally climb over trees to check their on families. @Local12
Videos showed damage to Dayton businesses. Mary McDonald, the mayor of nearby Trotwood, wrote on Facebook: “Trotwood is in a search and rescue mode. Call 911 if you need help.” She told an NBC affiliate that apartment complexes were being evacuated.
This is the Rite Aide at Siebenthal & Dixie in Dayton. Side wall is completely ripped off. @Local12 @ABC22FOX45
A Subway restaurant and Family Dollar were among businesses described as “gone.”
This was a strip mall on Dixie in Northridge. Buildings are destroyed. Subway, Little Ceasers and Family Dollar are gone. I can see insulation and smell propane from buildings. @ABC22FOX45 @Local12
Here’s what you need to know:
Videos & Photos Showed Destruction to Numerous Dayton-Area Communities
Frightening stories of damage and trauma began to emerge in the hours after the tornadoes passed through. Local journalists spoke to a family who lost their home, among other stories of destruction and loss.
Just spoke with a family whose house was destroyed. They say their whole house is “shot.” Had lived there for decades. But everyone made it out safely @whiotv @WHIORadio
In Brookville, school was cancelled for May 28 after part of the roof blew off, the superintendent said to WHIO-TV.
Journalist Tessa DiTirro shared a series of photos on Twitter showing damage in Beavercreek.
Car wash and strip mall in Beavercreek @Local12
Some photos were outside Fairfield Commons Mall.
We are right by the Fairfield Commons mall. WOW. We will be checking this entire area for damage. Tweet me the damage you’re seeing #DaytonTornado @Local12
Another photo showed damage to a tire and battery store.
WOW. National Tire and Battery in Beavercreek @Local12
“We have a house that was cut in half over here,” a rescuer said on the scanner around 12:23 a.m. on May 28, 2019, showing the urgency and severity of the situation. Another said a “house was leveled.” It was not yet clear how many people were wounded or dead, if any.
UPDATE: @mcohiosheriff says the Northridge High School, 2251 Timber Lane, gymnasium has been opened for those affected by the storm event and have been displaced by damage. The American Red Cross has been contacted to assist in operating the emergency shelter. #DaytonTornado
However, rescuers were discussing efforts to extricate people. “Multiple structures collapsed…one person trapped,” said another rescuer on the scanner. They referred to the “Westbrook corridor.”
The steeple snapped at the New Life Worship Center, but no one inside was injured:
This is the New Life Worship Center on Benchwood Rd. The steeple has snapped and the roof has slide off into the parking lot. About 25 people were inside. No injuries! 🙏🏽 @ABC22FOX45
Photos showed a destroyed gas station.
Photo from a friend of the Marathon gas station at Wagner Ford that is no more. #daytontornado
According to WHIO-TV, damage included roofs gone in Dayton; damaged houses in Riverside; injuries and damage in Brookville (including to the high school and on Westbrook); and in other areas.
Significant tornado damage in Celina, Ohio.
Via Jennifer Fourman: t.co/TRMXSTx6Hy.
You can listen to live scanner audio here. You can get updates from the National Weather Service office covering the Dayton, Ohio area here.
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down, writing, “[11:00 PM] CONFIRMED LARGE AND DANGEROUS TORNADO ON THE GROUND NEAR TROTWOOD, OHIO. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TAKE COVER NOW IN NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, OHIO. DO NOT TRY TO SPOT AT NIGHTTIME!”
It was later reported that tornadoes were spotted in multiple Ohio counties.
Scanner Traffic Discussed the ‘Walking Wounded’ as People Shared Photos on Social Media
It’s the first time I’ve encountered a #tornado. Luckily I’m far enough way where we only lost power.
I just hope the people closer to where this thing touched down are safe.
One man wrote that it was the first time he had encountered a tornado, and shared the above photos.
Numerous adults and children – as many as 25 – were hiding in a bathroom at the New Life Worship Center, per another scanner report.
People expressed shock after seeing photos sent to them by relatives.
Authorities were inundated with 911 calls.
BREAKING: Emergency officials in Dayton, Ohio are responding to a wave of 911 calls this evening after a large tornado ripped through the city.
Damage was reported in Trotwood, a community in the Dayton metropolitan area. “We will send the walking wounded to Trinity,” a rescuer said.
Reporter Sean Cudahy of WHIO-TV reported that “virtually an entire neighborhood (was) destroyed” in Celina. On scanner traffic, rescue officials referred to “wounded” people and were conducting searches. They referred to significant damage to structures. Be aware that the situation was still unfolding with very active rescue activity on the scanner.
The reports in Dayton followed a week of tornados, including severe tornado damage in Jefferson City, Missouri and El Reno, Oklahoma, where a hotel and mobile park were severely damaged.
Downed Trees & Power Lines Were Reported Throughout the Dayton Area
“We’re searching as well as we can,” said one rescuer on the scanner. Wires and downed trees made passing some streets difficult or even impossible. “All the lines down in the road,” said another rescuer on the scanner.
PHOTOS: Just got a first look at damage on Bruns Ave in Celina. Virtually an entire neighborhood destroyed. Hard to show all homes in dark, but MANY look like this @whiotv
People were asked to avoid 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,” wrote the Ohio Department of transportation.
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.
Snow plows were used to clear tornado debris.
Snow plows getting extra duty tonight on I-75 north of downtown Dayton as crews clear tornado debris. Avoid the area.
The tornado threat to Dayton was abating.
The National Weather Service office serving Dayton wrote this: “[12:02 AM] Currently there is no radar-confirmed or spotter-confirmed tornado activity. However, multiple storms remain capable of producing tornadoes. Do not let your guard down. There are still several dangerous storms moving through the area!”
[12:02 AM] Currently there is no radar-confirmed or spotter-confirmed tornado activity. However, multiple storms remain capable of producing tornadoes. Do not let your guard down. There are still several dangerous storms moving through the area!
However, numerous tornado warnings remained active shortly after midnight.
Tornado Warning including Newark OH, Pataskala OH, Heath OH until 12:30 AM EDT
Marc Weinberg, WDRB-TV meteorologist, wrote on Twitter, “‘Multiple building collapses. Numerous injuries’ per scanner traffic from Montgomery county in Ohio where a tornado hit at about 10:45 pm eastern.” That information had yet to be confirmed by authorities. “Listening to this scanner traffic out of Montgomery county, OH is just scary,” he noted.
Rescuers Reported People Being Trapped & Gas Leaks in Scanner Audio
DAYTON: Avoid I-75 just north of downtown Dayton. Our crews are on the scene assisting with removing debris from a tornado.
The scanner carried reports of people being trapped in a basement in Trotwood, Ohio and gas leaks in Montgomery County in the suburbs of Dayton.
The area was hit with seven tornado warnings.
People shared photos of hail.
Some of the hail at our house in #dayton from tonight’s Tornado. #daytontornado2019
“[11:40 PM] DEBRIS BEING LOFTED INTO THE AIR FROM A TORNADO NEAR VANDALIA OHIO MOVING SOUTH. TAKE COVER IN SHILOH, DAYTON, NORTHRIDGE, AND HUBER HEIGHTS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION!!!” the NWS office wrote. A minute earlier, this report: “Suspected tornado near Vandalia as of 11:38. Crossing the path of the first tornado.”
The NWS warned people that the tornado was threatening Dayton: “[11:34 PM] NEW TORNADO THREAT FOR THE DAYTON METRO AREA. STORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO LOCATED NEAR ENGLEWOOD MOVING SOUTHEAST. TAKE COVER NOW IN THE DAYTON AREA!!!!” wrote NWS. And this: “[11:22 PM] NEW TORNADO THREAT FOR EXTREME NORTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND SOUTHERN MIAMI COUNTY. ANOTHER TORNADO POSSIBLE NEAR THE COUNTY LINE. TAKE SHELTER NOW!”
A Large Tornado has hit multiple towns around Dayton OH
The extent of damage was not yet clear but seemed dire based on social media and scanner reports.
We just took a direct hit from a tornado. Our street is in ruins! Urbana Avenue @whiotv NO SIRENS HEARD!
Dayton Ohio
The situation was unfolding, but people took to social media with reports of damage. “We just took a direct hit from a tornado. Our street is in ruins! Urbana Avenue @whiotv NO SIRENS HEARD!” one person wrote on Twitter.
Morning is going to be unimaginable #ohwx
One man wrote that it would be frightening what the scene would show in daylight.