One killed, dozens injured in Celina tornado

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CELINA — Gov. Mike DeWine was in Celina Tuesday for a first-hand look at damage caused when a suspected tornado passed through Mercer County Monday night.

A spokeperson for the Ohio Emergency Management Agency confirmed that one person was killed and dozens other were injured as a result of the severe storms that struck Celina.

Celina mayor Jeffrey Hazel told multiple area media outlets that the victim was an elderly man in his 80s.

An Ohio EMA spokeswoman said a storm survey team from the National Weather Service was also en route to Mercer County and should have a better picture of the damage cause later in the day on Tuesday.

The west side of Celina was reportedly the hardest hit by the storm.

A temporary shelter where residents affected by the storm may get food and water has been set up at the Celina First Church of God.

According to the National Weather Service, scattered thunderstorms will be possible later this afternoon and tonight. Some of the storms could be severe. Damaging wind and large hail are the primary severe threat, although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out, according to the NWS.

At least half a dozen communities from eastern Indiana through central Ohio suffered damage, according to the National Weather Service. The storms damaged homes, blew out windows, toppled trees and left debris so thick that at one point, highway crews had to use snowplows to clear an interstate.

The National Weather Service tweeted Monday night that a “large and dangerous tornado” hit near Trotwood, Ohio, eight miles northwest of Dayton. Several apartment buildings were damaged or destroyed, including the Westbrooke Village Apartment complex, where an aerial photo shows the roof blown off entirely.

Some of the worst damage was concentrated along Fairground Road, where many residents are now displaced. Mackenzi Klemann | Lima News
https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2019/05/web1_IMG-0499.jpgSome of the worst damage was concentrated along Fairground Road, where many residents are now displaced. Mackenzi Klemann | Lima News

The Celina community came out Tuesday to help clean debris from storm-damaged homes. Mackenzi Klemann | Lima News
https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2019/05/web1_IMG-0500.jpgThe Celina community came out Tuesday to help clean debris from storm-damaged homes. Mackenzi Klemann | Lima News

Damaged home along Fairground Road. Mackenzi Klemann | Lima News
https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2019/05/web1_IMG-0501.jpgDamaged home along Fairground Road. Mackenzi Klemann | Lima News

Damaged homes and property after Monday’s tornado tore through the city of Celina Ohio. Richard Parrish | The Lima News
https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2019/05/web1_t1.jpgDamaged homes and property after Monday’s tornado tore through the city of Celina Ohio. Richard Parrish | The Lima News

Damaged homes and property after Monday’s tornado tore through the city of Celina Ohio. Richard Parrish | The Lima News
https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2019/05/web1_t2.jpgDamaged homes and property after Monday’s tornado tore through the city of Celina Ohio. Richard Parrish | The Lima News

Damaged homes and property after Monday’s tornado tore through the city of Celina Ohio. Richard Parrish | The Lima News
https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2019/05/web1_t3.jpgDamaged homes and property after Monday’s tornado tore through the city of Celina Ohio. Richard Parrish | The Lima News

Damaged homes and property after Monday’s tornado tore through the city of Celina Ohio. Richard Parrish | The Lima News
https://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2019/05/web1_t4.jpgDamaged homes and property after Monday’s tornado tore through the city of Celina Ohio. Richard Parrish | The Lima News

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