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Journal-News.com

Tornado; Damage 'could have been a lot worse'

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CARLISLE — Crews from several communities will be working today as they continue cleaning up the debris from a tornado that bounced through Carlisle Tuesday.

City Manager Brad Townsend said survey teams from the National Weather Service determined Wednesday that an F1 tornado with wind speeds up to 80 mph tore through the city Tuesday.

However, Townsend said the tornado did not touch down in Carlisle but its aftermath damaged 39 homes, a business and an apartment building, according to a preliminary damage assessment he prepared Wednesday morning.

"It could have been a lot worse," he said.

Townsend said National Inspections Corp., which Carlisle contracts for building inspection services, reported that 16 homes were affected by the tornado's winds losing some siding or roofing shingles; 19 homes sustained minimal damage, such as minor roof damage or porches missing; and four homes sustained major structural damage.

Greg Wallace, the city's fire chief and interim service director, estimated the cost of the damage at about $200,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

A report on Tuesday that a park shelter had been damaged at Roscoe Roof Park was incorrect; both shelters survived the tornado's winds, he said. The park's sign was blown to a driveway two streets over and it lost a section of fencing.

But other homes in that area didn't fare so well and were among those damaged on Wilshire Drive, Timothy Lane, Easter Lane, Beachler Road, Park Drive, Marty Lee Lane, Jane Court, Sheri Lane, Christina Way and Alamo Court.

Building inspectors went door to door checking homes in the affected area to make sure they were safe to stay in Tuesday night. An emergency shelter was opened at Carlisle High School by the American Red Cross, but was closed when no one needed to use it.

"I was impressed by the amount of response we got from the surrounding communities and people who wanted to volunteer to help us," Townsend said. "I was really pleased and overwhelmed by it."

Throughout the night, officials from Franklin, Springboro, Warren County, Lebanon, the Ohio Highway Patrol and Franklin Township were contacting Townsend or other Carlisle officials ready to send in people, vehicles and equipment to help out.

Late Tuesday night, large dump trucks, backhoes and other trucks from various communities were working to clear roads of large trees, branches and other debris.

Wallace said crews from area communities would be in the city continuing to clear debris.

Franklin Twp. Trustee Phyllis Darragh announced Wednesday a large Dumpster will be placed at the dead end of Timberwind Trail in Tara Estates and another will be placed at the Carlisle Service Building for township residents to dispose of debris.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or erichter@coxohio.com.