Wayne Allen | Daily Times The Otway Fire Department was damaged Friday during an intense storm that also damaged the community center across the street.

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By WAYNE ALLEN

PDT Staff Writer

The National Weather Service has confirmed that the Friday storm that whipped through Otway was an F0 tornado.

According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, an F0 tornado has winds between 40-72 mph and causes light damage.

“The tornado came across the river from Kentucky into Brown County then to Adams as an F2 tornado,” said Kim Carver, Scioto County Emergency Management director. “When the storm began to hit more stable air in Scioto County it began to diminish in strength. When it came over the hill and dropped into Otway it was starting to fall apart.”

She said the tornado come down the hill next to the covered bridge, ripping its roof off. It hit the fire department storage building next, lifted the roof off the gym at the community center then damaged two nearby homes before dissipating.

She said all of the damaged structures have insurance that will help to cover losses.

“Because it was such a very isolated area of impact we were very fortunate. The damage could have easily been more wide spread. You would only have to go two counties away and see how tragic it could have been,” Carver said.

She said there have been no reported injuries or loss of life.

MedFlight & HealthNet have teamed up to host a pancake breakfast fundraiser Saturday to benefit the Otway Fire Department.

Amanda Ball, outreach coordinator for MedFlight, and Veronica Neale at Healthnet 4 are organizing the event.

“Healthnet and Medflight share a helicopter based in Lucasville. MedFlight has served the Scioto County area for over 25 years now. Healthnet4/MedFlight7 has been in Scioto County for five years. Both are large companies and are in a position to help other services,” Ball said.

The event will be 8 a.m. to noon at the Minford Fire Department, 8466 Ohio 335.

There will be a $5 charge for breakfast, which includes all-you-can-eat pancakes and a number of other items.

“The event is being run off social media, and between our Facebook pages we have more than 100 people committed to attend. A lot of local businesses have also helped us out with donations,” Ball said.

She said two helicopters will also land at the event so people can check them out.

Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.