By Melanie Speicher and Charlotte Caldwell

[email protected], [email protected]

SIDNEY — A round of storms — including possible tornadoes — ripped through Shelby, Auglaize, Logan, Darke, Miami and Mercer counties Thursday evening.

The path of one storm started in Mercer County, swept through Auglaize County where it caused severe damage at Glacier Hills campground in Freyburg into Shelby County north of Botkins and Jackson Center and then Logan County where three people have been confirmed fatalities in the Indian Lake area.

Another round of storms started in Darke County and went through Versailles and the southern part of Shelby County. More storms hit Miami County where Covington and Bradford saw major damage.

The National Weather Service will be surveying the impacted areas to determine if tornadoes went through the area.

Mary Ann Kabel, AES Ohio, which provides power to 24 counties in the area, said Friday morning their crews were dispatched last night to begin the process of restoring power.

“This was a very active storm,” said Kabel. “The hardest hit area was Logan County where we have 4,500 people without power.”

There are 21 AES Ohio crews, along with 23 contracted crews, out assessing the damage and restoring power, said Kabel.

“We’re surveying the area,” said Kabel. “We are using drones to pinpoint the areas where power is out. This is a much better process than sending our crews block by block. This helps put safety first (of our crews).”

Kabel said power was out from Celina to Wapakoneta to Logan County.

“The tornadoes did extensive damage,” said Kabel. “Trees are being cleaned up, along with branches and removal of other debris before we can start restoring power.”

“We have lots of tangled wires,” she said. “We really have to access the damage so we can restore the power to people.”

Crews, she said, were out all night.

“Now that it’s daylight it’ll be better to access the damage,” she said. “These storms are a reminder that Mother Nature and spring and cause tornadoes easily.”

Shelby County EMA Director Kristy Fryman said Shelby County escaped the wrath of the tornadoes that other counties felt.

“The National Weather Service will not be in our area because we have no reported damage besides the golf-ball-sized hail in Jackson Center,” said Fryman. “Jackson Center was hit the hardest. There is a lot of hail damage to cars, including broken windshields and dents. I’ve also been made aware of damage to siding on houses.”

Fryman said Jackson Center Fire, Jackson Center Police, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Sidney Fire, Maplewood Fire Department and Anna Fire Department were dispatched to Logan County to assist with the tornado’s aftermath. Botkins Police was dispatched to Auglaize County to provide assistance.

Shelby County EMA remains on standby for assisting other county EMAs, she said.

“With the exception of the damaging hail in Jackson Center, Shelby County got extremely lucky last night,” said Fryman. “It’s only mid-March, and we’ve already had several tornado outbreaks across the region. This serves as a good reminder that severe weather can happen anytime, and it’s essential to be prepared. EMA encourages everyone to make a plan, build an emergency kit, and practice drills. Simply put, the more prepared you are, the better off you’ll be during and after a disaster.”

Jackson Center Village Administrator Bruce Metz said the village was extremely lucky Thursday night.

“Only damage in JC is from the hail to vehicles,” said Metz. “We never lost power. We sent Police, Fire and Electric Department over to assist last night and today. We were fortunate that the worst of the storm stayed north of us.”

Spirit EMS crews were also deployed to two locations in Bellefontaine and Randolph County, Indiana to assist.

“We were requested sometime between 8:30 and 9 last night to respond to Mary Rutan Hospital over in Bellefontaine. We were advised they had declared a mass casualty event and needed whatever resources we were able to pull together,” Spirit EMS Operations Manager Brian Brown said. “A truck was sent fairly quickly to the area and transported fairly quickly upon arrival there. An inquiry was made if they wanted/needed more ambulances and they advised yes they could use more. A secondary truck was put together and deployed to the area where after a short time in staging area, they also made a transport. A third truck was put together but then diverted to Wayne County Indiana for assistance.”

“Later in the evening, areas in Randolph County Indiana declared a mass casualty due to tornadoes in that area. Reid Health in Wayne County also requested our help which is where our third truck went to assist as they had crews tied up with helping in Randolph County,” Brown said.

“We also offered standby coverage at our station in the event that Greenville Rescue needed assistance but were never activated as they were able to answer their calls timely,” Brown said. “We used a combination of people that were on duty already as well as calling folks in from home to respond.”

State Rep. Angie King, R-Celina, has released a statement following the devastating tornadoes and severe thunderstorms that tore through Ohio Thursday night. Tornadoes and high winds caused structural damage and minor injuries in parts of Mercer, Darke and Auglaize counties, which King represents.

“My heart is broken to hear about the loss of life in these storms in neighboring Logan County,” said King. “Here in my district, we have seen structural damage and some injuries, and my prayers go out to all who were impacted. We have a deep-rooted sense of community here in West Central Ohio and I am grateful to the emergency services that have responded in support of those in need. I have been in contact with the governor’s office to help work on the next steps of recovering from these storms. If there is anything I can do to assist you during this challenging time, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.”

In Mercer County, the Mercer County Fairgrounds sustained damage, as did the Menard’s store on Havemann Road.

Schools throughout the area were on a two-hour delay Friday — in part due to fog and the other for safety reasons since bus drivers wouldn’t be able to see debris on the roadways because of the darkness.

“No damage or issues to our buildings,” said Botkins Local Schools Superintendent Jeff McPheron. “As far as the delay – we had debris, water and some roads closed around our bus routes.”

“We were fortunate to not have any damage here on campus,” said Hardin-Houston Local Schools Superintendent Ryan Meier. “I did not notice any storm damage early this morning when I drove the district roads, but it was dark. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Indian Lake community. From what other media outlets are reporting, they were hit hard.”Felt it was important for the buses and teen drivers to have some light out before they headed to school.”

Fort Loramie Village Schools Superintendent Dan Holland said their district escaped damage from the storms.

“It appears that we avoided major issues in Fort Loramie,” said Holland. “However our thoughts and prayers go to those throughout Shelby, Logan, Darke, Miami and Auglaize counties who suffered damage and tragedy. Many within our community have friends and family living in those areas that were affected by the storms, and we are concerned about the devastation in those communities.”

Sidney City Schools was delayed Friday due to fog.

The city of Sidney reported there was no damage from the storm and their teams are available to assist communities as needed.

Mercy Unlimited in Wapakoneta is currently working with the Auglaize County EMA Troy Anderson and Auglaize County CERT to provide assistance for those impacted by Thursday’s tornadoes/storms.

Anyone who would like to donate items should take them to Mercy Unlimited’s donation center from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Saturday. Items needed include bottled water, cleaning supplies, first aid supplies, diapers and wipes of various sizes.

People who would like to make a monetary donation can do so by texting Tornado to 419-738-3161 or by going to https://www.churchteams.com/m/Give.asp?oID=23281. Monetary donations can also be dropped off at Mercy Unlimited, 38 E. Auglaize St., Wapakoneta or mail checks with tornado written in the memo line to PO Box 71, Wapakoneta, OH. 45895.

A Facebook page has been started for Logan County and has garnered thousands of followers for information on donation drop-off locations, shelters, medical services, locating lost people, and more. Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1900090343758792.

The Logan County Sheriff’s Office said they don’t need any more volunteers and to avoid the area. The Sheriff’s office will do well-being checks when able. For well-being checks, call 937-592-5731. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/LoganSheriffOhio.