BATAVIA, Ohio — A tornado touched down in Pierce Township during severe weather Tuesday, causing extensive tree damage, downed power lines and property damage but no reported injuries, Clermont County Emergency Management Agency Director Shawn Riley told county commissioners Wednesday.
The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado, which also affected portions of Ohio Township and may have extended into Tate Township, according to the EMA. The storm produced estimated wind speeds near 100 mph, the agency said.
Riley briefed the Board of County Commissioners — President Bonnie Batchler, Vice President David Painter and member Claire Corcoran — during the board’s regular meeting at the county building in Batavia.
Crews, utility workers and residents were continuing cleanup efforts as of Wednesday, the EMA said. County and state officials are assessing the damage and determining whether disaster assistance may become available, according to the agency.
The EMA said it will continue coordinating with local departments, the National Weather Service and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency as the damage assessment process continues.
Pierce Township sits in the southwestern corner of Clermont County along the Ohio River and has grown from a farming community into a largely residential one. Ohio Township borders it to the south. Tate Township, in the county’s southeastern section, includes the village of Bethel and is served by the Bethel-Tate school district.
The Clermont County EMA coordinates the county’s response to disasters across four core areas — preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation — according to the agency.
The information contained in this story was obtained from Clermont County government.