CELINA — At least eight people were injured, none seriously, Sunday afternoon when severe weather rolled through western Ohio resulting in significant damage.
A Dollar General Store was destroyed and C-Town Wings was also damaged. There was also damage to several other nearby businesses including Ruler Foods and the Mongolian Grill.
According to the National Weather Service, six people were hurt at C-Town Wings and another was injured at a different business. One other person was injured on state Route 29 from an accident when a power pole fell because of the storm that came through Celina.
Part of Crown Equipment was heavily damaged with some block walls being knocked down.
According to Randy Niekamp, vice president of human resources at Crown, the company was closing operations for third shift Sunday night and for first shift Monday morning. During the day Monday, company officials will evaluate the damage to determine if second shift will report.
“We want our employees to take care of their personal property and stay safe,” Niekamp said.
He said only security people were inside the building when the storm hit. Nobody was hurt there.
Roof damage was reported with wires down near East Market Street and in the Livingston Street and Grand Lake Road area.
Because of damage in Celina, Celina City School District canceled classes for Monday.
In Buckland, in Auglaize County, the National Weather Service reported a travel trailer parked outside a home was destroyed.
In St. Marys, there were reports of trees and power lines down throughout the city. There was also a roof torn off a building.
Midwest Electric reported nearly 10,800 people were without power in Allen, Auglaize, Mercer and Van Wert counties Sunday evening.
In Lima, multiple trees and power lines were reported down with quite a bit of damage in the area near Lima Memorial Health System.
More than 1,200 AEP customers in Lima were without power Sunday evening.
High water was also a problem. Two people had to be rescued by the Lima Fire Department when their car became stuck in high water at the Elm Street underpass.
In Hancock County, just after 4 p.m., the city of Findlay reported a tornado touched down in Highland Estates, near Melrose and Crystal Avenues. Ralphies restaurant had its facade torn off, There was a mandatory evacuation of Highland Estates because of multiple gas leaks.
The American Red Cross set up a shelter at 50 North on East Melrose Avenue.
Findlay High School had some windows blown out and because of the damage in and around Findlay, school was closed for Monday.
Power poles were also down southwest of Jenera at state Route 235 and county Road 27. A barn was also destroyed near there.
AEP reported more than 2,500 customers were without power in Findlay on Sunday evening.
