Several homes and barns were heavily damaged in Thursday night’s severe weather that blew through Hancock County.

WFIN spoke with Chief Corey Miracle of the Southwest Hancock Joint Fire District on Township Road 29 in southwest Hancock County where most of the damage occurred.

“Upon arrival we discovered four houses that were damaged by the tornado, five barns, and four grain silos that got relocated.”

The chief says thankfully no humans or livestock were lost in the tornado.

He says the National Weather Service will be on site to determine the path and strength of the tornado that hit the area.

The NWS later said that it was an EF-1 tornado with max wind speeds of 100 miles per hour. 

Below is a video of our conversation with Rick Marshall, whose barn was pretty much destroyed in the tornado.

Ohio was hit with a lot of severe weather on Thursday night and it sounds like Hancock County didn’t get it as bad as other areas. 

A tornado warning was issued for Hancock County around 6:45 p.m. and we joined WTOL-11’s severe weather coverage from Chris Vickers and John Burchfield.

That severe weather moved east into Seneca County and Wyandot County where funnel clouds and tornadoes were reported.

At around 7:30 p.m. the weather sirens sounded again in Hancock County for a funnel cloud sighted between Arlington and Bluffton, and the weather service issued another tornado warning.

Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman told WFIN that state troopers and Bluffton police officers both witnessed funnel clouds and the picture below sent to WTOL-11 shows a tornado on the ground. 

He said some homes were damaged and barns destroyed in the area of County Road 12 and Township Road 29, southwest of Jenera.

The sheriff said there were no injuries.

There were tornado warnings in various counties across Ohio on Thursday night and some areas got hit pretty hard.

The National Weather Service will have teams inspect areas of damage to determine if and where tornadoes touched down.

UPDATE – The Tornado Watch has since been canceled but not before severe weather whipped through Hancock County and other counties on Thursday night. Get more details by clicking here. 

ORIGINAL STORY –

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Tornado Watch issued by the National Weather Service.

The watch goes until 12 a.m. Friday.  

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to develop across the region.

The NWS says the best timing for these stronger storms will be this evening, or roughly, from 6 PM to 11 PM.

Some of the storms could generate a damaging wind threat and a few tornadoes are likely.

The storms could also produce large hail, up to tennis ball size.

Winds could gust up to 70 miles per hour.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here. 

(ONN) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says schools should consider banning cell phones in the classroom.

The governor held a roundtable in Dublin with educators from across the state who have tried this policy.

And the resounding answer was, it works.

A phone ban has led to better student engagement, fewer skipped classes and less bullying.

“It’s very difficult for an individual teacher to make a decision to ban cell phones in their classroom, I think it’s much better if it is made at the building level and district level as well.”

(From the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services)

The Hancock County Community Partnership is offering grant funds for local prevention and wellness initiatives.

These funds may be used to support prevention and wellness initiatives that promote health, wellness, safety, and/or reduce the likelihood of health-related problems for people of all ages (e.g. substance use, mental illness, suicide ideation, problem gambling/gaming, process addictions).

The Partnership has made available a total of $15,000 for the Grant Program. Grant proposals may request up to $5,000.

For more information and to submit an application, get more details below, or click here.

WTOL-11 Chief Meteorologist Chris Vickers was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8^th.

Findlay is within the path of totality and will experience a total solar eclipse of an estimated 3 minutes and 44 seconds beginning at 3:10 p.m.

Vickers says being within full totality is everything.

“Because you’re able to, not only experience the full effects of the eclipse, but you are in a very rare point on earth where the entire surface of the sun is covered by the moon, that gives you an opportunity to view the sun’s corona.”

Vickers says, under ideal conditions, we’ll have some of the longest times to view totality.

The Solar Eclipse Task Force, which is a collaboration of many local entities, has created a website with information about the eclipse.

(ONN) – Perrysburg Schools is holding a unique employee recruitment event that will give people an opportunity to try driving a bus, and to recruit potential bus drivers amid nationwide shortages.

The event will help them recruit bus drivers and substitute bus drivers as well as bus monitors.

They have had to get creative to fill these positions.

So they are inviting the public to try something new and drive a school bus without a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

The school district says it is impacted by the nationwide bus driver shortage.

The event will take place on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Perrysburg High School (13385 Roachton Road, Perrysburg, Ohio 43551)

(From the Office of the Ohio Governor)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Executive Order 2024-04D to assure Ohioans the state is well-prepared for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, that will cross a 124-mile-wide band in the state of Ohio.

“The safety and well-being of Ohioans is always at the forefront of everything we do,” said Governor DeWine. “We have been preparing for the April 8^th solar eclipse for several years to ensure this once-in-a-lifetime event can be safe and memorable for all.”

The Executive Order directs all State departments and agencies to be ready and prepared to ensure the health and safety of all Ohioans and visitors before, during, and after the eclipse. Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA) is coordinating the state’s preparation and response to the event, and all law enforcement agencies are prepared to respond with necessary personnel and resources to assist local law enforcement in contributing to the safety and security of Ohio residents and tourists.

Only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states during the existence of the United States of America. The last total solar eclipse visible in Ohio was in 1806, and the next total solar eclipse will not pass through Ohio until the year 2099.  

The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to the state. The influx of visitors prompted state agencies to work together to ensure everyone is prepared and safe before, during, and after the event.

Travelers are urged to arrive early and stay late to avoid the heaviest traffic. Additional preparedness resources are available at eclipse.ohio.gov and events surrounding the eclipse can be found at ohio.org/eclipse.

OHIO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

The Ohio EMA urges those traveling to see the eclipse to make a preparedness kit for their vehicle and include items like snacks, drinks, cash, cell phone chargers, and blankets.

Motorists should top off their fuel tank or fully charge their electric vehicle before heading out.

It’s also a good idea to have a family communication plan to ensure you know how to reconnect in case you get separated from friends or family at a large gathering. Make sure children have contact information for parents or guardians with them.

Finally, be aware of weather conditions and where you might seek shelter in the event of severe weather. Be sure to activate emergency alerting features on your mobile devices.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency’s Solar Eclipse site includes important safety information and other frequently asked questions about viewing the eclipse in Ohio.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

The Ohio Department of Transportation will be fully staffed before, during, and after the eclipse to assist with traffic control. The agency is treating the solar eclipse like a major travel holiday by restricting roadwork and reducing the size of active work zones as much as possible to accommodate the extra traffic. There are locations where this isn’t possible. They include:

I-75 through Cincinnati and Dayton

I-70/71 in downtown Columbus

I-70 in Zanesville

I-475 on the southwest side of Toledo

Several projects in the Akron metro area on I-76, I-77, and SR 8.

Roads are expected to be congested before the eclipse as travelers begin to arrive at their viewing locations. However, the worst traffic congestion is expected to happen after the event is over as everyone tries to head home at the same time.

Travelers can find traffic alerts, construction zone locations, and more than 1,100 live traffic cameras on OHGO.com and the OHGO app.

Due to the potential for cell phone service interruptions, travelers are urged to have a paper map with them to assist with navigation.

OHIO TURNPIKE AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION

The Ohio Turnpike is a 241-mile toll road designated as I-90, I-80 and I-76 that runs east and west along the state’s northern corridor.

Lane closures, typically set for construction work zones and other maintenance projects, will not be permitted prior, during, or after the eclipse. Currently, a work zone is set for the Tinkers Creek bridge project both eastbound and westbound on the Ohio Turnpike at milepost 185.6 in Summit County. Two of the three lanes will be open in both directions.

Like planning for peak travel days throughout the year, the Ohio Turnpike will be staffed by personnel providing roadside assistance to stranded motorists 24-hours a day. The Ohio Turnpike’s toll booths, 14 service plazas, and eight maintenance buildings will be staffed in anticipation of a high-volume traffic event.

Portable message signs will be placed at various locations along the toll road to keep travelers informed about traffic incidents, driving conditions, or to provide other roadway safety messages.

Participating restaurants at the Ohio Turnpike’s service plazas will extend their hours of operation and increase staffing and supplies. Gasoline and diesel fuel deliveries will also be increased.

For more information, visit www.ohioturnpike.org.

OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL

Troopers will be highly visible and ready to assist motorists in the days leading up to, during, and following the eclipse.

Stopping on the side of roads or exit ramps for non-emergencies is strictly prohibited. Do not attempt to view or capture the eclipse while driving.

Consider factors like traffic and travel time. Establishing a well-thought-out plan that includes departure times and routes can significantly reduce stress and enhance your overall experience.

Motorists can dial #677 in Ohio to report unsafe drivers or stranded motorists.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES 

Ohio state parks and wildlife areas will provide a great backdrop for the astronomical event. A list of Ohio state parks and wildlife areas in or near the path of totality can be found on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ website, along with information about camping sites, travel tips, and eclipse-related activities happening around Ohio.

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT

Ohio is ready to welcome visitors to experience all Ohio has to offer before, during, and after the eclipse. Visitors are encouraged to extend their stays and take advantage of the many events and activities happening across the state. With 55 Ohio counties in the path of totality, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and explore. Viewing locations, eclipse celebrations, and other events are all featured on the Ohio, The Heart of it All’s eclipse landing page, complete with an interactive map for users to explore eclipse-related attractions.

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents that there will be no school for students on Monday, March 18^th.

That day will be a professional development day for staff members.

“A quick reminder: There is no school for students on Monday, March 18 while our staff members dive into professional development opportunities!”

According to the school district calendar, spring break will be Thursday, March 28^th to Monday, April 1^st.

And there will be no school on Monday, April 8th because of the eclipse. 

Click here to see the full school district calendar.

Ottawa-Glandorf’s Colin White is a finalist for Ohio Mr. Basketball.

According to the OHSAA, the Ohio State University commit averaged 24.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game this season for the Associated Press poll champion Titans, who are 20-3 as of March 4.

White is already a two-time All-Ohio first team selection and has been O-G’s top player on three straight state semifinal teams (runners-up in 2022, 2023).

White has also helped the Titans to 28 consecutive Western Buckeye League wins, three straight league titles, and has been the WBL and District 8 Player of the Year three times.

A four-year starter, White has played in 105 varsity basketball games, with O-G going 90-15 in those games.

He is the all-time career leading scorer in the hot-bed basketball history of Putnam County.

White enters the district semifinal round with 1,876 career points.

See all the finalists by clicking here.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 20.