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DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) – As violent storms hammered their way through central Ohio Thursday night, Delaware County residents woke up to damage to their homes and their schools.
Olentangy Berlin high school took on extensive damage to its athletic facilities, in particular the baseball field, which lost its scoreboard entirely.
In Delaware County, Big Walnut schools were closed, in addition to Olentangy schools, a major Columbus suburban district. A sheriff deputy in Delaware County said that part of the roof came off a middle school and the scoreboards were “wrecked” at the athletic fields.
Drone footage from NBC4 showed a facilities garage and shed were nearly destroyed in the storm’s path and the baseball scoreboard was shredded, with debris scattered all over the outfield. The outfield fence was completely destroyed and the bleachers behind home plate had collapsed.
“There was extensive damage at two schools (Berlin Middle and Berlin High School), as well as surrounding school communities,” a district statement read. “District leaders have been in contact with government officials and emergency management teams, and at this time, there is no estimate for when power will be restored or debris clearance on roadways.”
Homes and businesses along Berlin Station Road also sustained extensive damage, including a fertilizer company owned by a Delaware couple, whose pickup truck was buried under a collapsed barn at HYR BRIX Serious Fertilizer.
“The (silver) lining in the cloud is that nobody was here, nobody was hurt,” owner Jennifer Lane said. “So, these can all be rebuilt, equipment can be rebought, but at least everybody is safe and sound.”
Other homes along Berlin Station Road experienced trees snapping in half and on top of homes, roof shingles splintered off roofs, or in some cases total destruction.
In Logan County at least three people have been confirmed dead in the Indian Lake area due to the storms.
As of 12:36 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service has confirmed two tornadoes touched down in Ohio while it continues to survey storm areas. An EF-1 tornado occurred in Licking County, near Johnstown, while another EF-1 tornado touched down in western Mercer County.
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