Greene County, Ohio

A violent tornado that moved at 65 mph hit the town of Xenia for the second time in 26 years damaging some of the same areas that were hit in 1974. Along the path of the tornado, around 250 homes were either damaged or destroyed, over 40 businesses were damaged or destroyed including the local Wal Mart, Kroger, and Tire Discounters, and 6 churches were damaged. A strip mall was nearly destroyed, cars were thrown from the Highway 35 bypass into ditches, 4 semi-trailers were thrown up to 400 yards, and most of the buildings were damaged or destroyed at the Greene county fairgrounds. In Sugarcreek Township, which is to the southwest of Xenia, an additional 14 houses and 3 barns were damaged and some crops were destroyed on a narrow path. Over 10,000 residents were without power for at least 1 day.

The tornado initially touched down at the Greene Crossing Shopping Center on Indian Ripple Road. At least 5 cars were lifted and rolled, with 2 injuries occurring in 2 of the vehicles that were rolled. As many as 22 cars in the parking lot at Greene Crossing Shopping Center were damaged with most of the damage being blown out windows.||Additional roof, window and awning damage occurred to a restaurant building as well as to the strip mall within the shopping center. The most significant damage was shattered windows and a partial collapse of a brick roof facade at Fitworks, along with a rooftop HVAC unit being pushed off of the roof. The damage was consistent with 100 to 105 mph winds. ||Damage continued into the subdivision to the northeast of the Greene Crossing Shopping Center where numerous trees were downed and several homes suffered roof damage. While there was additional storm damage in the subdivisions east of Interstate 675, the damage there appeared to be non-tornadic.

The beginning of this tornado is believed to have occurred along South Charleston Road where homes on both sides of the road had multiple large hardwood trees snapped. One residence also had a shed completely destroyed and metal from the shed was blown into the field.||On the next road east across the field, on Rogers Road, the most significant damage from the tornado was observed. The second story of one home had much of its roof removed and had multiple interior walls collapsed. Tree damage was also significant at this property as well as at nearby residences on Rogers Road.||Further east, at a property along Watkins Road, a roof was ripped off of a barn, with a shed completely destroyed. A bit further to the east, along Sheley Road, a home and garage had siding removed. Several hardwood trees were snapped in this area as well. A barn roof was also removed south of the intersection of Sheley and Rogers Road. Windows were also blown out at another property along Sheley Road. No further damage was observed to the east of Sheley Road.