Two Tornadoes Confirmed in Ohio, Causing Damage

The National Weather Service surveyed the storm damage and classified the events.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:10pm

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The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in Ohio on March 31, 2026. The first tornado struck near the Village of Hicksville in Defiance County, while the second touched down outside the Village of Apple Creek in Wayne County. Both tornadoes caused damage to buildings and downed trees, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like tornadoes can have significant impacts on local communities, causing property damage and disrupting daily life. Understanding the patterns and characteristics of these storms is important for improving early warning systems and disaster response efforts.

The details

The tornado in Defiance County was an EF1 with peak winds of 95 mph, cutting a path 2.71 miles long and 25 yards wide. It caused minor tree damage, destroyed a pole barn, and ripped the roof off a home. The tornado in Wayne County was an EF0 with peak winds of 85 mph, touching down for 0.11 miles and cutting a path 75 yards wide. It uprooted or snapped several trees and caused roof and chimney damage to residential properties.

  • The first tornado touched down at 7:09 p.m. on March 31 and lifted about 2 minutes later.
  • The second tornado started and ended at 9:56 p.m. on March 31.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing severe weather warnings.

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What they’re saying

“After suspected tornadoes are spotted, crews from National Weather Service survey possible tornado damage in person.”

— National Weather Service

“The pattern of damage, not how much damage was caused, determines whether it was a tornado, according to the weather service. For tornadoes, with their violently rotating columns of air, damage often has a chaotic appearance, with larger uprooted trees often crossing each other.”

— National Weather Service

The takeaway

This severe weather event highlights the importance of having robust early warning systems and disaster response plans in place to protect communities from the impacts of tornadoes and other extreme weather. The National Weather Service's detailed analysis of the storm damage helps improve our understanding of these events and informs efforts to enhance public safety.