2002 Van Wert–Roselms tornado

2002 F4 tornado in Ohio, US February 2024 February 2024 2002 Van Wert tornado police still.jpg 300 The tornado, seen from an Ohio State Highway Patrol car November 10, 2002, 3:15 p.m. EST (UTC−05:00) 1 hour, 10 minutes November 10, 2002, 4:25 p.m. EST (UTC−05:00) 53 mi km on 880 yd mi km atl 207–260 mph km/h on F4 4 17 >$30 million (2002 USD) Van Wert and Roselms, Ohio, US 2002 Veterans Day weekend tornado outbreak and tornado outbreaks of 2002 On November 10, 2002, a violent and deadly tornado struck the city of Van Wert and the community of Roselms, Ohio, United States. The National Weather Service rated the worst of the damage F4 on the Fujita scale, near and within the Van Wert area. In Van Wert, hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, with several homes and businesses sustaining F4 damage. Among these businesses, a movie theater, was leveled by the tornado, but the sixty people attending the feature inside the theater survived. In Roselms, only one single structure was left standing. The tornado killed four people, injured seventeen others, and was credited for over $30 million in damages. Meteorological synopsis 2002 Veterans Day weekend tornado outbreak#Meteorological synopsis The first signs for organized severe weather became apparent on November 7, when the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) outlined a Slight risk across portions of the mid-Mississippi and western Ohio River valleys valid for November 9.Jack Hales [Day 3 Convective Outlook] https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWODY3&e=200211070943 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 7, 2002 January 20, 2023((National Weather Service offices in Northern Indiana, Cleveland and Wilmington, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)) ((Storm Prediction Center)) A Trail of Death and Destruction 14 November 2022 https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/868cb9d6c9504630b7ceb3aa51d6538e ArcGIS Story Maps January 21, 2023 On that day, a powerful and negatively-tilted upper-level trough upwards of 150 kn mph km/h on 5 was observed driving east-southeastward toward the U.S. Central and Southern Plains. While a shortwave trough at the leading edge of this feature progressed across the Texas Panhandle, a surface area of low pressure resided across the Central and Northern Plains.Rich Thompson [Day 1 Convective Outlook] https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWODY1&e=200211091632 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 9, 2002 January 20, 2023 Southerly flow associated with the cyclone prompted the northward advection of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, with dewpoints rising into the lower 60s °F as far north as southern Illinois; this moisture promoted modest destabilization and mid-level convective available potential energy (CAPE) values from 500 to 1,000 J/kg. As the shortwave trough continued eastward, it aided in the formation of thunderstorms across northeastern Arkansas around 00:00 UTC. These storms resided in a strongly sheared environment, with storm relative helicity – a measure of the potential for cyclonic updrafts – around 800 m2/s2. Despite initial concern that the lower levels of the atmosphere were not quite as favorable,Jeff Peters Mesoscale Discussion 2159 https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWOMCD&e=200211092355 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 9, 2002 January 20, 2023 evening atmospheric soundings from Little Rock, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, showcased an extremely favorable environment for significant tornadoes.Jeff Craven [Day 1 Convective Outlook] https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWODY1&e=200211100106 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 9, 2002 January 20, 2023 Clusters of supercells tracked from Arkansas into Tennessee over ensuing hours, and in fact, the persistence of these storms resulted in the formation of a weak outflow boundary that further enhanced the tornado threat.Jeff Peters Mesoscale Discussion 2162 https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWOMCD&e=200211100307 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 9, 2002 January 20, 2023 A total of 10 tornadoes occurred throughout the evening of November 9, including multiple strong tornadoes and one that killed two people near Huntingdon, Tennessee. On November 10, the SPC warned of the potential for a significant tornado outbreak and/or widespread damaging wind episode across northeastern Mississippi, much of Tennessee, northwestern Alabama, and much of Kentucky, where the organization issued a High risk of severe weather. Morning upper-air analyses showed mid- to upper-level winds of 100 – 150 kn mph km/h 5 on across the southern Rocky Mountains, as well as an embedded shortwave trough moving east toward the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. At the surface, a strong area of low pressure was positioned over Wisconsin and moving northeastward toward Ontario.Rich Thompson [Day 1 Convective Outlook] https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWODY1&e=200211101639 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 10, 2002 January 20, 2023 Throughout the afternoon hours, the tornado outbreak unfolded in three distinct locations. To the north across Indiana and Ohio, temperatures rose into the lower 70s and dewpoints climbed into the mid-60s °F, supporting CAPE values of 1,000–2,000 J/kg. In addition, significant pressure falls in the region contributed to backed surface winds, aiding in favorable low-level shear profiles.Brynn Kerr Mesoscale Discussion 2169 https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWOMCD&e=200211101828 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 10, 2002 January 20, 2023 Although storms in this region were initially congealed into a squall line ahead of a cold front, the presence of strong shear and dry air in the mid-levels supported the line's breakdown into supercells and bowing segments.Brynn Kerr Mesoscale Discussion 2172 https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWOMCD&e=200211102115 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 10, 2002 January 20, 2023 Ahead of this activity, additional discrete supercells overspread much of Ohio owing to a prefrontal trough.Ryan Jewell Mesoscale Discussion 2174 https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=SWOMCD&e=200211102240 Iowa Environmental Mesonet November 10, 2002 January 20, 2023 Tornado summary thumb|The tornado at peak width, seen from a Ohio State Highway Patrol Car The tornado touched down approximately 4 mi km in northeast of the village of Willshire, Ohio, and began moving northeast towards the city of Van Wert.((National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)) ((National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service)) ((National Climatic Data Center)) Angel William Hinson Stuart Mooring Rhonda Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena Storm Data November 2002 44 11 92–93 United States Department of Commerce English 0039-1972 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s damage survey by county: National Centers for Environmental Information National Weather Service in Northern Indiana Ohio Event Report: F4 Tornado (Van Wert County) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322801 Storm Events Database National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 30 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231030071409/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322801 30 October 2023 14 February 2013 live National Centers for Environmental Information National Weather Service in Northern Indiana Ohio Event Report: F3 Tornado (Paulding County) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322863 Storm Events Database National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 30 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231030071453/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322863 30 October 2023 14 February 2013 live National Centers for Environmental Information National Weather Service in Northern Indiana Ohio Event Report: F3 Tornado (Putnam County) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322864 Storm Events Database National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 30 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231030205715/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322864 30 October 2023 14 February 2013 live National Centers for Environmental Information National Weather Service in Northern Indiana Ohio Event Report: F0 Tornado (Defiance County) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322865 Storm Events Database National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 30 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231030205749/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322865 30 October 2023 14 February 2013 live National Centers for Environmental Information National Weather Service in Northern Indiana Ohio Event Report: F0 Tornado (Henry County) https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322866 Storm Events Database National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 30 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231030205801/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/storm-events-database/event-details/5322866 30 October 2023 14 February 2013 live Immediately after touching down, the tornado rapidly intensified to F4 on the Fujita scale as it crossed Zook Road approximately 5 mi km in southwest of Van Wert. Around Zook Road, a 75-year-old man, Alfred Germann, was killed when the tornado destroyed his house at F4 intensity.National Weather Service in Northern Indiana National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Tornadoes devastate parts of northwest Ohio and eastern Indiana https://www.weather.gov/iwx/20021110_tornado National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce 30 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231030212047/https://www.weather.gov/iwx/20021110_tornado 30 October 2023 liveNarramore Jen Wilkes Nick Van Wert, OH F4 Tornado - November 10, 2002 https://www.tornadotalk.com/van-wert-oh-f4-tornado-november-10-2002/ Tornado Talk 31 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231031052922/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.tornadotalk.com/van-wert-oh-f4-tornado-november-10-2002/ 31 October 2023 10 November 2019 live According to the National Weather Service (NWS), he was attempting to shield his wheelchair-using wife when the tornado struck. As the tornado continued into Van Wert, it maintained F4 intensity. In Van Wert, 43 homes and five businesses were destroyed, and 164 homes and 27 businesses were damaged. The Twin Cinemas and five buildings at an industrial park sustained F4 damage.Bentkowski Grace 20 years since historic F4 tornado swept through northeastern Indiana, northwestern Ohio https://www.wane.com/top-stories/20-years-since-historic-f4-tornado-swept-through-northeastern-indiana-northwestern-ohio/ WANE-TV CBS Broadcasting Inc. 31 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231031051739/https://www.wane.com/top-stories/20-years-since-historic-f4-tornado-swept-through-northeastern-indiana-northwestern-ohio/ 31 October 2023 Fort Wayne, Indiana 10 November 2022 live In Twin Cinemas, 60 people, mostly children, were watching a movie when the tornado destroyed the building. Vehicles from the cinema's parking lot were thrown into its seats. An 18-year-old man, Nicholas Mollenkopf, was killed when the car, which he had been driving near the cinema, was thrown into the cinema's seats. The tornado destroyed three county engineering buildings in Van Wert. After passing through the industrial park, several homes and business in Van Wert sustained F3-to-F4 damage.The Delphos Herald staff Tornado confirmed in Van Wert County https://www.delphosherald.com/archive/tornado-confirmed-in-van-wert-county/article_2669eddc-3dbd-5174-a212-9e04e7d3b579.html The Delphos Herald 21 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231121051455/https://www.delphosherald.com/archive/tornado-confirmed-in-van-wert-county/article_2669eddc-3dbd-5174-a212-9e04e7d3b579.html 21 November 2023 11 April 2023 The massive storm system that hit the Midwest had been predicted by weather officials for up to four days ahead of time and was showing some similarities to the severe storms that produced the massive F-4 tornado that ripped through Van Wert County on November 10, 2002. live After leaving Van Wert, the tornado continued northeast and crossed into Paulding County, where it struck the community of Roselms. Only one building in Roselms remained standing after the tornado. Every structure in Roselms sustained up to F3 damage, and the NWS entire 9 mi km mid in track of the tornado through Paulding County was rated F3 by the NWS.National Weather Service in Northern Indiana Van Wert Tornado Determined To Be A Violent F4 Tornado https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSFWA&e=200211122320 Iowa Environmental Mesonet National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 31 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231031151825/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSFWA&e=200211122320 31 October 2023 12 November 2002 live According to Dayton Daily News, 23 homes, 32 barns, and a church in Paulding County were completely leveled, and 19 more homes were damaged.Bohman Jim Storm Damage In The State https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news/25255435/ Newspapers.com Dayton Daily News https://web.archive.org/web/20231031202650/https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news/25255435/ 31 October 2023 Columbus, Ohio 5 Newspaper 13 November 2002 live The tornado also leveled the Washington Township building, and continued northeast at F3 intensity as it crossed into Putnam County. In Putnam County, the tornado destroyed a mobile home in Continental, killing two people. After traveling 7 mi km in through the county, the tornado rapidly weakened to F0 intensity just before it crossed into Defiance County. While traveling 3 mi km in through Defiance County, the tornado skipped, and caused F0 damage to five homes and some outbuildings before crossing into Henry County, where it continued to skip, and caused F0 damage to outbuildings and trees along a 12 mi km on path. The tornado then lifted approximately 2 mi km in southeast of Malinta. In total, the tornado killed four people and injured seventeen others along its 53 mi km on path, and reached a peak width of 880 yd m on.The Van Wert EF4 Tornado - Veterans Day Weekend, 2002 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d6f4VuNfAQ YouTube Weatherbox 31 October 2023 Video 9 December 2022 31 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231031161634/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d6f4VuNfAQ live It caused at least $30 million (2002 USD) in damage in Van Wert. Impact and aftermath June 2026 June 2026 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) later stated that of the entire Veterans Day weekend tornado outbreak—which consisted of 76 tornadoes—the Van Wert–Roselms tornado was the most remembered due to: the heroic efforts of [Scott Shaffer] at the Van Wert Cinemas. After hearing the tornado warning that was broadcasted over the county's warning system, the manager led sixty patrons to interior hallways and restrooms. This was only a few minutes before the tornado destroyed the theater. Besides leveling the building, three cars were tossed into the seats that were previously occupied by moviegoers, many of which were children.National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio National Weather Service in Northern Indiana National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Storm Prediction Center A Trail of Death and Destruction https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/868cb9d6c9504630b7ceb3aa51d6538e ArcGIS StoryMaps National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration https://web.archive.org/web/20231031052433/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/868cb9d6c9504630b7ceb3aa51d6538e 31 October 2023 StoryMap 10 November 2022 liveSeewer John Moviegoers survive tornado in bathrooms https://www.newspapers.com/article/chillicothe-gazette/25254133/ Newspapers.com Chillicothe Gazette & Associated Press 31 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231031202307/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chillicothe-gazette/25254133/ 31 October 2023 Chillicothe, Ohio 3 Newspaper 12 November 2002 liveMovie: Quick action saved lives https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/25254012/ Newspapers.com The Cincinnati Enquirer & Associated Press 1 November 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231101000453/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/25254012/ 1 November 2023 6 Newspaper 12 November 2002 live Van Wert County EMA Director Rick McCoy was able to give the city a 26-minute lead time for the tornado by continuously running Van Wert's tornado sirens for 26 minutes.Blown away: Remembering the 2002 Van Wert tornado https://www.limaohio.com/top-stories/2022/11/13/blown-away-remembering-the-2002-van-wert-tornado/ Limaohio.com Lima News 25 November 2023 13 November 2022 In the aftermath of this tornado, Van Wert County gave a NOAA Weather Radio to every business in the county. See also List of North American tornadoes and tornado outbreaks References 2002-11-10 11-10 2002-11-10