Tornadoes in Ohio and US
Ohio, positioned geographically on the eastern edge of what has
come to be known as “tornado alley,” is no stranger
to tornadoes. In fact, Ohio experiences an average of 16 tornadoes
each year, not to mention the hundreds of severe thunderstorms.
Ohio’s peak tornado season runs from April through July, with
most tornadoes occurring between 2 and 10 p.m. Even though June
has been the month with the most tornado occurrences, many of the
state’s major tornado outbreaks have taken place in April
and May. However, history has proven that tornadoes can occur during
any month of the year at any time of the day or night.
In 2003, there were 12 confirmed tornadoes in Ohio resulting in
18 injuries and no deaths. A violent tornado hit in Ohio in 2000,
reaching an F4 intensity on the Fujita tornado scale. This tornado
ripped through Xenia on September 20 and damaged over 300 homes
and businesses, resulting in one death and nearly 100 injuries.
Information on the November 10, 2002 Van Wert
tornado can be found
below.
Insurance coverage for tornado damage
Tornado losses to a home are covered by the windstorm peril under
the homeowners insurance policy. Protection from windstorm or hail
damage for cars is covered under the “other than collision”
(comprehensive) portion of the automobile insurance policy.
Source: National Weather Service
Source: National Weather Service
Source: Insurance Information Institute, Fact Book 2004
This November storm spawned several tornadoes in Ohio killing five
and injuring 26. At least four tornadoes with winds exceeding 100
mph were reported in Van Wert County. The National Weather Service
tracked a tornado through Twinsburg, Macedonia, and Solon. Another
twister hit Ashland and Medina counties, and yet another touched
down in Wayne County.
According to a survey by the Ohio Insurance Institute, losses from
this storm exceeded $103 million, making it one of the costliest
disasters in recent history.
Source: Graphic used with permission from
Columbus Dispatch, November 12, 2002
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