Devastating Storms Hit Indiana and Ohio, Causing Destruction and Power Outages

Severe storms, possibly with tornadoes, hit eastern Indiana and western Ohio on Thursday evening, causing significant destruction in several towns, leaving thousands without power, and leading to search and rescue operations in one city.

Officials in both states confirmed injuries, with an unspecified number in Indiana and over 20 in Ohio. They also warned that it would take hours to fully assess the extent of the damage and injuries.

A large system of storms affected over 45 million people from Texas to western Pennsylvania, putting them at risk of severe weather until early Friday. By Thursday night, there were reports of two tornadoes in Indiana and five in Ohio, as stated by the Storm Prediction Center.

Late Thursday night, more than 10,000 homes and businesses in Indiana and nearly 37,000 in Ohio were left without power, according to PowerOutage.us.

In Winchester, Indiana, the state police are assisting with search and rescue operations following a possible tornado hitting the area. Sgt. Scott Keegan, a spokesperson for the agency, mentioned on social media that temporary shelters have been established for residents.

State police Superintendent Doug Carter referred to the storm in Winchester as a "horrible, horrible incident" with numerous reports of serious injuries. As of Thursday night, no fatalities had been reported, as stated during a news conference.

In Winchester, some homes and buildings were destroyed, according to Carter. Authorities are now searching through the damaged buildings to look for any missing individuals. Carter mentioned that they will need to check every single facility, especially those that have completely collapsed.

In Selma, Indiana, a town with about 700 residents near Winchester, up to half of the buildings appear to be damaged after a severe thunderstorm, possibly a tornado, struck the area, as reported by the Delaware County Emergency Management Agency.

A couple walk along a snowy street in Denver on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

A couple walk along a snowy street in Denver on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

David Zalubowski/AP

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A powerful storm has buried Colorado under nearly 4 feet of snow. Additionally, tornadoes were spawned in the central US, with strong tornadoes causing significant damage in parts of western Ohio's Auglaize and Logan counties, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Radar signals in the counties showed that debris was being lifted up to 15,000 feet, indicating a powerful tornado, as reported by the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio. This led to the issuance of a tornado warning with a “considerable threat” label, which is the second highest level of tornado warning.

On Thursday night, around 19 individuals received treatment for weather-related injuries at the Mary Rutan Health facility in Ohio’s Logan County, according to a spokesperson for the facility.

The storm caused significant damage in the areas of Indian Lake, Lakeview, and Russells Point in Logan County. According to David Crissman, the mayor of Bellefontaine, these areas were hit hard by the storm.

The county emergency management agency reported that parts of Logan County suffered a significant amount of damage. They are currently overwhelmed with calls and are working on organizing their response. As of now, there is no information on injuries or damages.

Crissman reported a building collapse with people trapped and injuries from various campgrounds and houses around the lake. He also mentioned that a trailer park in the county's northwest corner had been destroyed.

In Lakeview, Alena Roberts shared a video showing damaged buildings along a road. She recounted being on her way home from her second-grader's concert at a school when the weather took a turn for the worse.

"It was really scary. Tornado sirens were going off," she shared. When she arrived home, she could tell that the worst part of the storm had passed "because the wind and rain were so loud - I've never heard it that loud before."

According to an official in Mercer County, a tornado may have touched down in the west-central part of Ohio. The affected area is mostly farmland, with reports of damage to at least one home and one hog barn, as stated by Mike Robbins, the county's emergency management director, in a phone interview with CNN. Just east of this area, near the town of Celina, a storm caused damage to several trailer homes and left three people with minor injuries, Robbins confirmed.

On Thursday, strong thunderstorms hit parts of the central and eastern US, leading to reports of tornadoes in Indiana and Ohio. The Storm Prediction Center issued a Level 2 of 5 risk for severe thunderstorms from Texas to Ohio, with the potential for tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. A higher Level 3 of 5 risk was centered on parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.

This is an ongoing situation and more updates will follow.

CNN’s Taylor Ward, Raja Razek, Andy Rose, Jamiel Lynch and Jason Hanna contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The recent severe storms and possible tornadoes in eastern Indiana and western Ohio have wreaked havoc on communities, leaving thousands without power and causing widespread damage. The reports of injuries, including over 20 in Ohio, are concerning, and the search and rescue operations in Winchester, Indiana, underscore the severity of the situation. The storms have also caused significant damage to homes and businesses, and the assessment of the full extent of the destruction is still ongoing.

It is crucial for affected residents to prioritize their safety and follow the guidance of local authorities. Power outages can be dangerous, so individuals should exercise caution and report any downed lines or damaged equipment. Those in need of shelter or assistance should reach out to local organizations or emergency services. As the situation continues to develop, it is important to stay informed and offer support to those impacted by these devastating storms. offer our thoughts, prayers, and support to all those impacted by these devastating storms.