Drone video shows path of tornado that damaged homes in Wayne County

The National Weather Service confirmed an 85 mph tornado touched down in Franklin Township.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:48am

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A tornado packing winds of 85 miles per hour touched down late Tuesday night in Wayne County, Ohio, damaging three homes in a small neighborhood in Franklin Township outside of Wooster. Drone video from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office shows the path the tornado took as it skipped along South Honeytown Road.

Why it matters

Tornado warnings and sirens played a critical role in alerting residents to seek shelter in time, as the tornado caused significant damage to homes in just a matter of seconds. This highlights the importance of effective early warning systems, especially in rural areas, to protect communities from the dangers of severe weather.

The details

After the storm passed, residents emerged to find the damage done by the tornado. They said they were alerted by the tornado warning and were able to get to safety just in time. The Wayne County sheriff noted that the tornado sirens were effective as an extra layer of protection in warning residents about the danger.

  • The tornado touched down late Tuesday night in Wayne County, Ohio.
  • The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado had winds of 85 mph.

The players

Wayne County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that provided drone footage of the tornado's path.

Joni Dalrymple

A resident who sought shelter when the tornado warning went off and was able to avoid harm.

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What they’re saying

“It got pretty quiet and we could hear it raining and then the tornado warning went off. We heard it, I opened the front door to see if the siren was going off. By the time I made it to the kitchen, was looking out the back window and we heard it coming and just ran downstairs and got there just in time.”

— Joni Dalrymple, Resident

“It was a relief because we could see the damage. Not exactly to what extent, but we knew it was a lot and we were very grateful that we came out on the other side.”

— Joni Dalrymple, Resident

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to investigate the tornado and provide updates on the extent of the damage.

The takeaway

This tornado event underscores the critical role that early warning systems and tornado sirens play in protecting rural communities from the devastating impacts of severe weather. The quick action of residents to seek shelter likely saved lives, demonstrating the importance of heeding tornado warnings.