A tornado moved through Ottawa on Monday evening, causing structural damage and knocking out power across much of the city. A tornado warning was issued around 7:25 p.m. as the storm tracked west to east through Franklin County.
As of 7:09 p.m., approximately 3,834 residents were without power due to the storm. Widespread outages left large portions of the city in darkness, and the Ottawa Police Department reported heavy damage between 15th and 19th streets, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Damage included downed trees, wall and roof damage to a hotel, and significant roof damage at a gas station. The T-Mobile store had the front of the building ripped off, while at the Knights Inn at 17th and Main, the roof was torn off, and the second floor was heavily damaged.
Brad Howard, a local resident, noted, “The T-Mobile store has had the front of the building ripped off.” He also mentioned that damage appeared to be concentrated between 15th and 17th streets.
Additionally, the radio station KOFO lost power around 7:30 p.m. and had been off the air since. Residents were advised to stay off the roads and avoid any downed power lines.
This tornado event raises questions about the preparedness of the community for severe weather. A tornado warning was issued as the storm approached, but the extent of the damage has left many in shock.
As the community begins to assess the damage and restore power, officials are working to ensure safety and provide assistance to those affected. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the damage and the timeline for recovery.