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Tornado damages
homes, businesses in Celina area
On Sunday, November 05, 2017 shortly after 2:10 PM emergency sirens
were activated in Mercer County as a result of a major storm coming
through associated with a tornado. Weather radar also indicated
rotation in the storm with a high likelihood of tornadic
activity. Celina Police officers posted near the south west edge
of town spotted a funnel cloud headed towards the city.
A tornado did enter the city from the southwest causing damage to a
home along Lakeshore Dr. The tornado then apparently crossed the lake
in a northeast direction. It caused damage to Wendy’s Restaurant,
Lakeshore Auto, a few more residences in the area of E. Market
St. As the tornado continued in a north east direction Crown
Equipment suffered severe damage along with several businesses along
Havemann Rd. These include Dollar General, Dunhams, C-Town Wings,
Ruler Foods and others. Most businesses in that area had some
damage to one degree or another. A further damage assessment will
be done in the morning by area agencies.
Eight people within the City limits were treated for injuries by area
EMT’s from Celina, Coldwater and Rockford. Four of those were
transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.
There was no loss of life in Celina due to this storm.
Celina Police and Fire Departments responded with all available
personnel both on and off duty. As well as all service
departments within the City, including electric, street and water
crews. The City of Celina received assistance from Montezuma,
Rockford, Mendon and Chickasaw Fire Departments. Buildings were
searched for any casualties as well as for gas and electrical
hazards.
Also assisting with law enforcement and traffic control were the Ohio
State Highway Patrol, New Knoxville Police Department, MCERV and the
Mercer Co. Sheriff’s Office.
Mayor Jeff Hazel responded to the areas struck by the tornado as well
as Senator Keith Faber. Both directly assisted with the ongoing
emergency. Senator Faber did also provide additional propane
tanks to keep the Celina Police Command Center running through the
night. Mayor Hazel did declare a State of Emergency for the City
of Celina to free up additional resources from the State of Ohio.
The Celina Police Department urges people to stay away from affected
areas. As tempting as it is to go look, the additional traffic
causes serious issues for people trying to get utilities on, roads open
and debris cleaned up. Please give us a couple of days to make it
safe for everyone. We were blessed with low casualties and no
fatalities, help us keep it that way.
We would like to thank Westside Carryout as well as Kentucky Fried
Chicken for assisting with food donations for responding
personnel.
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