Two Tornadoes Touch Down in Ohio During March 31 Storms The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes struck Ohio on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, during a severe storm system. The first tornado, rated EF1, touched down near Hicksville in Defiance County, while the second, an EF0, hit near Apple Creek in Wayne County. Both events caused damage to trees and buildings, but no injuries or fatalities were reported. The EF1 tornado in Defiance County formed at 7:09 p.m. and remained on the ground for approximately two minutes before dissipating. It traveled a path 2.71 miles long and 25 yards wide, with peak wind speeds reaching 95 mph. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) office for Northern Indiana, which covers several Northwest Ohio counties, the tornado was embedded in a large area of damaging straight-line winds. The storm uprooted or snapped multiple trees, destroyed a pole barn, and removed the roof of a residential home. The EF0 tornado in Wayne County developed at 9:56 p.m. and lasted for 0.11 miles, with a width of 75 yards. It had peak wind speeds of 85 mph, as reported by the NWS Cleveland office. The tornado struck just west of Honeytown Road near Apple Creek, crossing three residential properties before lifting east of the same road. It caused significant tree damage, including uprooted and snapped trees, roof damage to multiple structures, and the collapse of a chimney. Both tornadoes were confirmed through damage assessments conducted by NWS survey teams. The agency explained that the pattern of destruction, rather than the extent of damage, is critical in determining whether a tornado occurred.#national_weather_service #wayne_county #hicksville #defiance_county #apple_creek
