Millbury Ohio Tornado June 5

th

2010

Gary Garnet National Weather Service Cleveland, Ohio

Millbury Ohio Tornado Fast Facts :

•The seven fatalities from this tornado make it the second deadliest tornado to hit the United States in 2010.

•Deadliest tornado in Ohio since the Niles/Newton Falls tornado killed 10 in Ohio, May 31, 1985 •The last multiple fatality tornado in the state was at Van Wert on 11/10/02 when 4 were killed. 4 were also killed at Blue Ash (Hamilton County) on 4/9/99 •Since 1950 there have only been 4 F5's, 5 F4's in Ohio and 39 killer tornadoes. This is the 40 th killer tornado.

What lessons did we learn from this storm?

Tornado enters Lucas County From Fulton County around 11 pm.

Tornado touches down in Moline (Wood County) around 11:20 pm hits Millbury around 11:25 pm and enters Ottawa County at 11:30 pm.

11:00 pm 11:11 pm 11:07 pm 11:25 pm

11:00 pm 11:11 pm 11:07 pm 11:25 pm

BWER

3D view of BWER

Tornado Watch #268

WFO Cleveland Tornado Warnings

Initial Tornado Warning issued at 10:53 PM for Lucas and Wood Counties Tornado Warning issued at 11:15 PM for Ottawa County

Tornado Warning Timeline of Events

• At 10:13 PM Tornado Watch 268 issued for 7 of NW Ohio counties • At 10:30 PM Lucas County receives a report of rotating clouds and activates local dissemination procedures for a tornado • At 10:53 PM National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for Lucas and Wood Counties (Local Tornado Warning procedures activated in counties) • At 11:00 PM Skywarn damage reports Received from Whitehouse (Lucas County )

Tornado Warning Timeline of Events (cont…)

• At 11:15 PM National Weather Service issues Tornado Warning for Ottawa County (Local Tornado Warning procedures activated in Ottawa County) • At 11:20 PM Reports from Skywarn spotters about power line flashes east of Perrysburg. Tornado reported on the ground 2 to 3 miles east of Perrysburg •At 11:26 PM Severe Weather Statement issued by the National Weather Service stating a “tornado was on the ground”.

•At 11:30 PM Ottawa County re-activates local Tornado Warning procedures when they receive a report of a Tornado on the ground in the county.

Overview

•Nocturnal tornado of EF4 intensity are very rare and extremely dangerous •Tornado occurred around the 11pm news and received live media coverage •Warning and preparedness programs were successful •The actions of the National Weather Service, Media, County EMA offices and various state and local agencies saved lives.

•However… Can we do better?

4 Fatalities in Millbury.

Tornado was EF4 Intensity 3 Fatalities Near Lake Township Building and Lake High School.

Tornado was EF3 Intensity Ottawa County 1 injury.

Tornado was EF3 Intensity

Fatal #1 Outside Fatal #2 Home Fatal #3 Car

The Story of Kathy Hammitt

• Bay Park Hospital at 10:15 pm (Lucas County) •Attempts to leave around 10:30 pm but is stopped by security guards because of tornado alert (local) •Leave hospital shortly after 11pm thinking the tornado warning is over and drives into Wood County.

• They do not receive another notification of the tornado warning until they hear it on the radio seconds before they are hit.

Lucas/Wood County Line

Fatal #4 Home Fatal #5-#7 Home

Tornado in Millbury

• Approximately 25-30 minute lead time from warning issuance to tornado strikes Millbury •Lives saved because of long lead time but how much time is to much time •Tornado reports received with only 5-8 minutes remaining in the warning. Re-enforcement of the warning difficult.

•Did victim come up stairs due to false sense of security and what steps can we take to avoid this ???

•15 Minute Lead Time with benefit of warning to the west •SOCIAL Networking!!!

•Second activation of local warning systems •1 Injury No Fatalities Ottawa County Track

Social Networking

“ I got a call from my sister who told me to get to the basement and not ask questions” “I received a text message from a friend telling me about the tornado heading my way ” Warning information is being received and forward via social networks. Instruments such as Facebook, Twitter, text messages and cell phone calls are monitored on a regular basis. These instruments can be effective in warning information dissemination.

Public Response to Warnings

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Hear

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Understand

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Believe

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Personalize

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Decide to act

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Respond

Lessons Learned

•Warnings and preparedness actions taken by the local communities were effective in saving lives.

• Attempts should be made by local, state and federal officials to convey a consistent warning message to avoid confusion and illicit the best possible response.

•Long lead time warnings while beneficial can lead to compliancy among residents. Re-enforcing the warning when possible during the storm may assist in keeping people aware and alert.

•Social Networking plays an important role in warning dissemination and should not be ignored.