Several videos were recorded by various people of the tornado that touched down on the east side of Paulding County on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. One lady was in her house when the tornado struck. It moved it off its foundation.
Along CR 151, west of Melrose, was part of the tornado’s path, saw the most damage. Cars destroyed, garages and barns crushed, and houses moved off the concrete block foundation and many trees fallen from the dangerous weather conditions. One young lady from Ottoville school, Abigail Bullinger, was in a Hyundai Elantra when the storm hit. She was not able to run into her neighbor’s basement. She survived the storm just fine, but the cars that were lined up in the driveway, were later seen crushed up against each other with shattered windows and more.
Jessica Beane was inside her home when it was literally lifted off its entire foundation. She was scared, not because of herself, but because her son was in the RV behind the house, which was not damaged at all! She thought she had run out of lives, she commented. When the house came to rest against the barn, she stepped out and knew she wasn’t in Oz nor had a pair ruby slippers waiting. Everyone ended up safe and unharmed other than a few minor scratches. There were five people living in the trailer and a couple out in the RV. They are very thankful that all are okay.
Across the street was the first place that was struck including a barn, house and a three-car garage. Once again, thankfully the people inside were not harmed.
In the village of Melrose, there were also trees knocked down and RVs tipped over.
A few miles north of Oakwood on SR-66 another tornado in a separate cell hit a brand new barn. Luckily the new house sitting beside the building was not hit nor sustained any damage. Tornadoes are interesting because they can destroy buildings with foundations while leaving the lightweight patio furniture sitting intact and unmoved in the same spot as the building next to it that was just destroyed. This was the case at the Todd and Jen Dangler residence. They said people have been so generous, stopping by to help with all that had happened, moving the storm debris off the highway and much more.
Todd had watched and recorded one tornado hovering over Cooper Farms before realizing there was another coming from the northwest straight towards his place. They ran inside to the center of the new house. They saw the tornado looking as if it were skipping like a rock across a pond and it was the tornado touching down in the newly planted corn field just behind their house. The path of the tornado is clearly seen in the field.
We are all very thankful that the good Lord took care of all of these people. With spirits lifted up, they are ready to rebuild from this tragedy!
