Tornado strikes Hancock County

A tornado ripped through Hancock County early Saturday morning, destroying homes and buildings and toppling power poles. Winds reached as high as 130 mph.

Storms also caused significant damage in Putnam and Seneca counties.

Here’s a story on the storm from The Courier. And another story about families whose homes were destroyed.

We want your own personal storm stories and pictures. Write about your experience, or the experience of friends and family in the comment section below. Or submit your own storm photos to The Courier by clicking here.

Comments

[vintage car restoration]

I feel sorry about what happen to the place. I hope many would help them.

[pharmacy]

I hope that everything went well there and there aren't so much people that they lost their home.

[card access alarms]

I felt said that again a huge tornado hit the area. Well, nature is uncontrollable sometimes.

[Generic Viagra]

It is a pity that we have to face that kind of elemental dissasters but the only thing that we can do it is endure it and we have to be prepare to face it like Japan did.

[Jeff Ede]

Hi. Well, I happened to be awake and watching tv when the severe weather was affecting the area. So, I was prepared. But I think that if I had been asleep, I doubt that I would have been aware at all. I know that I didn't hear any sirens going off. Thanks go to the Toledo tv stations for their coverage of the storms. And I did hear the sirens go off this weekend. I want you to know, I'm hard of hearing and I don't wear my hearing aid when I'm asleep, so make those sirens loud! Thanks.

[Brian]

I found it to be odd that the siren at Fire Station #4 on CR 236 sounded for a few minutes, turned off and did not turn back on until a warning was issued for Seneca County.

Given the fact the tornado warning was during a time when folks were sleeping, I think it's important those devices keep sounding until the warning is over.

After all, that IS what they're for...

[Tom HortoN]

This is why it is important to invest in a good NOAA's National Weather Service radio to alert you when severe weather conditions exist. Here are several hundred available at ebay they are Not expensive $20 on up;

http://shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQ_nkwZweatherQ20radioQQ_fromZR41QQ_mdoZ

This is a great site that explains NOAA Radios in detail and lists many retailers that sell them:
http://www.weather.gov/nwr/nwrrcvr.htm

Known as the "Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. NWR includes more than 985 transmitters , covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz):

Below is a link to audio updates over your computer to get your local weather conditions via NOAA radio, below;

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/streamaudio.htm

I would recommend that you invest in a good battery operated NOAA certified weather radio, it will be one of the best investments in your life. A good battery operated radio is important in case there is a major disaster and all of your power, including your phone lines go out. I have experienced major earthquakes, the LA riots, Massive fires, power outages for several days and deadly floods. The battery operated radio aNd at least oNe good flash light are a requirements in everyone's emergency survival supplies-aNd always have extra fresh batteries too.

The TV is great for warning of severe weather conditions if you have power.

[Carol]

Did anyone have problems trying to hear a weather update on the local radio stations??? ONce we were awaken by the tornado sirens we grab a flashlight and portable radio and headed for cover. Only to find out the local radio stations were playing canned music.
Now I understand they may or may not have many listeners at 1 a.m., but my goodness! The city actually sounded the tornado sirens. HOw often does that happen??
We finally took the chance to turn on the television to find out what was happening in the area. Thank you to the Toledo news for staying on the air to keep all of us updated. But I am thinking some of those people effected may not have had TV access due to the storm.
That's when a portable radio with weather updates from the local authorities would have been greatly appreciated. But no one at the radio stations to help them out :(
Too sad!