Tornado Strikes Forbes State Park, and Near Xenia Sunday Night

The east end of Forbes State Park near Omega is closed until further notice due to extensive storm damage.

What the National Weather Service has confirmed as a tornado touched down on the south edge of the state park at 7:30pm Sunday and moved into Clay County just over five miles northwest of Xenia. The EF-2 tornado had a peak wind gust of 130MPH.

Forbes State Park Superintendent Cliff Benhoff says the most serious damage was to a horse camp barn, which was left in pieces and will have to be rebuilt. Benhoff reported there were no horses at the facility at the time of the storm. 

The closure affects the horse camp, beach area, and the East Marina Boat Ramp.

Benhoff says all but about 25 campers had left before the storm and none of the camping equipment was damaged. However, a tree limb did fall onto a car, breaking the windshield.

Benhoff said most of the damage is from downed trees and tree limbs. An outside crew is being called in with heavier equipment to complete the cleanup.

Another tornado struck the Sumner and Bridgeport area in Lawrence County about 8:30pm Sunday. Trees were snapped, an outbuilding was destroyed, and there was roof damage to a nearby home. The EF-1 twister had a peak wind gust of 105MPH.