Midwest Hit by Severe Storms and Suspected Tornadoes, Causing Widespread Damage and Power Outages

On the evening of March 14, 2024, a severe storm front hit the Midwest, causing widespread damage and power outages. The storm system spawned multiple suspected tornadoes in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Ohio: Logan County

One of the hardest-hit areas was Logan County in western Ohio. The Logan County Sheriff's Office issued a tornado warning, and shortly after, a suspected tornado struck the county, causing extensive residential damage. The neighboring Mercer County also experienced damage from the same tornado, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to three individuals in the town of Celina.

Indiana: Jefferson County

The storm also wreaked havoc in Indiana, particularly in Jefferson County. Tornadoes touched down in several locations, damaging multiple homes and structures. The town of Hanover suffered significant destruction, with residents recounting the devastation caused to their homes. The Indiana State Police documented the damage on social media, including homes with roofs torn off and reports of baseball-sized hailstones.

Kentucky: Trimble County

Across the state border in Kentucky, Trimble County bore the brunt of the storm. Reports indicated that at least 50 structures, including homes, were damaged. Governor Andy Beshear confirmed that a tornado had touched down in Gallatin and Trimble counties, causing minor injuries and significant damage to the town of Milton. More storms were expected in the state, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay vigilant.

Power Outages and Response

As a result of the storm, approximately 28,000 customers were left without power in Ohio. In Indiana, around 2,000 Duke Energy customers in Hanover experienced power outages during the height of the storms. Trimble County, Kentucky, also faced power disruptions due to the severe weather.

The respective emergency management agencies in each state were activated to coordinate the response to the storm damage. Governor Beshear announced the activation of the state's emergency operations center to oversee the storm response efforts.

Additional Impact

Prior to the storms in the Midwest, a supercell thunderstorm produced a tornado in Alta Vista, Kansas, causing further damage. Reports also indicated that parts of northern Kansas were battered by large hail, some exceeding the size of softballs.