'It looks like a war zone': Homes and businesses are reduced to rubble, 81-year-old man is killed and more than 60 others are injured when powerful tornadoes swept through Ohio causing 'catastrophic' damage

  • Tornadoes first touched down in the city of Trotwood, just outside Dayton, at about 11pm on Monday night 
  • National Weather Service described tornado as 'extremely dangerous' and told residents to take shelter
  • Photos showed widespread damage to homes and buildings, and the storm brought down power lines
  • There were reports of houses being cut in half and others were completely flattened during the storms 
  • Authorities confirmed at least one death in Celina, Ohio, which is about 75 miles northwest of Dayton
  • At least 60 people in and around Dayton went to hospitals with injuries, most of them minor, officials said 
  • As of Tuesday afternoon, millions are still without power in Ohio alone, according to local authorities  

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At least one person has died and 60 more were injured in Ohio after 'rapid-fire' tornadoes ripped through the state, leaving more than five million people without power.

As of Tuesday morning, authorities confirmed one death in Celina, about 75 miles northwest of Dayton. 

The one known fatality is 81-year-old Melvin Dale Hannah, according to Celina Mayor Jeffrey Hazel. The man died when a car crashed into his house while he was sleeping, Hazel said.  

Authorities said the most severe damage was reported in Celina. Hazel said there are 'areas that truly look like a war zone' in the city of some 10,000 people.

Celina Fire Chief, Douglas Wolters, said as many as 90 homes have been damaged by the tornadoes that pounded through the region. 

Wolters estimates that 40 of the homes have significant damage and some were knocked off their foundations. Most people are staying with family or friends, but some went to a shelter in nearby Coldwater.

Dayton area hospitals have reported at least 64 injuries since a wave of severe storms swept through. 

Weather experts said 51 tornadoes were reported across eight states overnight and residents of Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are still not in the clear as severe weather is forecast to continue through Tuesday and into Wednesday. 

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At least one person has died and 60 more were injured in Ohio after 'rapid-fire' tornadoes ripped through the state, leaving more than five million people without power. This aerial photo shows damage at the Westbrooke Village Apartment complex in Trotwood, Ohio

At least one person has died and 60 more were injured in Ohio after 'rapid-fire' tornadoes ripped through the state, leaving more than five million people without power. This aerial photo shows damage at the Westbrooke Village Apartment complex in Trotwood, Ohio

Residents of Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, are still not in the clear as severe weather is forecast to continue through Tuesday and into Wednesday. This photo shows another aerial view of the Westbrooke Village Apartment building in Trotwood, Ohio

Residents of Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, are still not in the clear as severe weather is forecast to continue through Tuesday and into Wednesday. This photo shows another aerial view of the Westbrooke Village Apartment building in Trotwood, Ohio 

Residents of the Westbrooke Village Apartment in Trotwood, Ohio, are seen gathering items that they were forced to leave behind as they evacuated their homes

Residents of the Westbrooke Village Apartment in Trotwood, Ohio, are seen gathering items that they were forced to leave behind as they evacuated their homes

Storm damaged homes are seen Tuesday morning after a tornado passed through the area overnight in Brookville, Ohio

Storm damaged homes are seen Tuesday morning after a tornado passed through the area overnight in Brookville, Ohio

The Northridge Shopping Center on North Dixie Highway in Dayton, Ohio, lies in shambles after the tornado. The shopping center housed a Family Dollar, a strip club, a tax service and many other small businesses

The Northridge Shopping Center on North Dixie Highway in Dayton, Ohio, lies in shambles after the tornado. The shopping center housed a Family Dollar, a strip club, a tax service and many other small businesses

A Jeep is surrounded by debris from a destroyed building near Wagner Ford Road in Dayton, Ohio

A Jeep is surrounded by debris from a destroyed building near Wagner Ford Road in Dayton, Ohio

A car was damaged by the garage it was parked in after it collapsed during the tornado in Trotwood, Ohio

A car was damaged by the garage it was parked in after it collapsed during the tornado in Trotwood, Ohio

Deletha Shepard looks at what is left of her house on Tuesday  the morning after a tornado touched down overnight in rotwood near Dayton, Ohio, U.S. May 28, 2019. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk

Deletha Shepard looks at what is left of her house on Tuesday after a tornado tore it's roof off in Trotwood, Ohio

The kitchen cabinets are left standing in Ron and Marlene Snider's home in the Wheatland Acres subdivision in Celina, Ohio

The kitchen cabinets are left standing in Ron and Marlene Snider's home in the Wheatland Acres subdivision in Celina, Ohio

Eight-year-old Hayden Snider finds a way to entertain himself as his family cleans up the debris of his grandparents' home in the Wheatland Acres subdivision in Celina, Ohio

Eight-year-old Hayden Snider finds a way to entertain himself as his family cleans up the debris of his grandparents' home in the Wheatland Acres subdivision in Celina, Ohio

A tally of storm reports posted online by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center shows that 14 suspected tornadoes touched down in Indiana, 10 in Colorado and nine in Ohio.

Thunderstorms that spun off the Colorado tornadoes dropped hail as large as tennis balls, with pea-size hail reported in the Denver area. 

Six suspected tornadoes were reported in Iowa, five in Nebraska, four in Illinois, three in Minnesota, while one was reported in Idaho.  

In Indiana and Ohio specifically, a rapid-fire line of apparent tornadoes tore across the states and were packed so closely together that one crossed the path carved by another.

The storms strew debris so thick that at one point, highway crews had to use snowplows to clear Interstate 75.

At least half a dozen communities from eastern Indiana through central Ohio suffered damage, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).   

Mayor Hazel said that first responders rescued some people from their homes overnight and were making a third sweep Tuesday to check for anyone else who might be trapped.

'It is devastating,' he added.

There were at least 35 people in and around Dayton who went to hospitals with injuries, most of them minor, according to Elizabeth Long, a spokeswoman for the Kettering Health Network.

'We've had injuries ranging form lacerations to bumps and bruises from folks being thrown around in their houses due to the storms,' Long said. 

Ohio weatherman lambasts viewers complaining his live tornado bulletin was interrupting The Bachelorette

By Sophie Wingate For Dailymail.com

Ohio weatherman, Jamie Simpson, lost it on live TV after viewers complained that his severe weather warning was interrupting the reality show 'The Bachelorette' late on Monday. 

Simpson was giving updates on the tornado, which would go on to ravage the Dayton area later in the night, when he saw complaints pour in on social media.  

'We have viewers complaining already, "just go back to the show."'

Jamie Simpson lashed out at viewers who complained about his tornado updates interrupting a reality TV show

Jamie Simpson lashed out at viewers who complained about his tornado updates interrupting a reality TV show

'No, we're not going back to the show, folks. This is a dangerous situation,' the Fox 45 meteorologist said. 

Simpson walked on screen to continue his rant facing the camera. 

'It's your neighborhood. I'm sick and tired of people complaining about this. Our job here is to keep people safe and that's what we're going to do.

'Some of you complain that this is all about my ego. Stop, ok? Just stop right now. It's not.'

Simpson then stormed off screen, snapping: 'I'm done with you people, I really am. This is pathetic.' 

Earlier on Tuesday, Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck said that 'there's been no real serious injuries' despite the significant damage in the area.

The sheriff asked residents to avoid any areas with damage from the storms. 

'There are multiple locations that have sustained extensive damage and the roads in those areas need to be kept clear so that emergency personnel can get through to help those in need,' a statement reads. 

According to the sheriff, there are also 'potentially dangerous situations with power lines down, unstable trees and possible gas leaks'. 

Dayton Fire Chief Jeffrey Payne also said that it was 'pretty miraculous' that there have been only minor injuries. 

Payne attributed the good news to people heeding early warnings. Residents say sirens started going off around 10.30pm Monday ahead of the storm.

Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley urged residents to check on neighbors, especially those who are housebound.

The power response will require a 'multi-day restoration effort,' utility Dayton Power & Light said in an early morning tweet. The company said 64,000 of its customers alone were without power.

In a tweet, the city of Dayton urged residents to conserve water after the storms cut power to water plants and pump stations. 

'Due to the widespread power outages we are asking all Dayton and Montgomery County customers to conserve water,' the city tweeted.

'We have lost power to both water plants and pump stations. First responders are performing search and rescue operations and debris clearing.'

Erica Bohannon leads reporters through her destroyed apartment on Tuesday morning in Trotwood, Ohio. She said the tornado passed through the area the night before and tore her roof off while she huddled with her son and dog in her bedroom closet

Erica Bohannon leads reporters through her destroyed apartment on Tuesday morning in Trotwood, Ohio. She said the tornado passed through the area the night before and tore her roof off while she huddled with her son and dog in her bedroom closet

Carl Shackleford Jr carries his father's memorial flag out of a tornado damaged apartment at the Westbrooke Village Apartment complex in Trotwood, Ohio

Carl Shackleford Jr carries his father's memorial flag out of a tornado damaged apartment at the Westbrooke Village Apartment complex in Trotwood, Ohio

Jeremy Sutter picks up items from his house on Woodhaven Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday morning

Jeremy Sutter picks up items from his house on Woodhaven Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday morning 

Lins Bui gathers clothing from her home in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday morning. Bui received stitches on her face after being injured by a tornado the night before

Lins Bui gathers clothing from her home in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday morning. Bui received stitches on her face after being injured by a tornado the night before

Latisha Anderson digs through her personal items in what remains of her home in Dayton, Ohio

Latisha Anderson digs through her personal items in what remains of her home in Dayton, Ohio

Deletha Shepard takes a photo of her house on Tuesday morning after the tornado touched down overnight in Trotwood, Ohio

Deletha Shepard takes a photo of her house on Tuesday morning after the tornado touched down overnight in Trotwood, Ohio

Ana Parra Marroquin cries in her bedroom at her residence in Dayton, Ohio, after her home was destroyed

Ana Parra Marroquin cries in her bedroom at her residence in Dayton, Ohio, after her home was destroyed 

A woman leaves her apartment with a small child the morning after a tornado touched down overnight in Trotwood, Ohio
Ana Parra Marroquin digs through debris at her home in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday

Residents in and around Dayton, Ohio, were seen leaving their damaged homes or digging through debris for items just hours after a tornado tore through the area 

Residents and volunteers help clear debris from damaged homes resulting from the tornado storm system that passed through the region in Brookville, Ohio

Residents and volunteers help clear debris from damaged homes resulting from the tornado storm system that passed through the region in Brookville, Ohio

City Manager Shelley Dickstein later issued a boil advisory for residents. The advisory affects 'all water customers in Dayton and Montgomery County'.

The city also said that generators are being rushed in. 

Heartbreaking images showed families visiting what's left of their homes to dig through the debris. 

Some found items to take with them, while others wept over the remnants of their houses. Others took photos of the damage and some were seen preparing to clean up their yards. 

Republican Gov Mike DeWine will be visiting communities hard-hit by the tornadoes in the Dayton area. 

A spokesman for DeWine says a schedule will be released later Tuesday.

Among areas he plans to visit is Trotwood, an older Dayton suburb of some 24,500 people. Mayor Mary McDonald reports extensive, 'catastrophic damage'.

McDonald said five busloads of displaced residents have been taken to a church offering temporary shelter while the American Red Cross assesses needs. 

She says the community is getting a lot of help and support from federal, state, and local agencies, adding that 'we need that level of support'.

Trotwood's Hara Arena, idled in recent years after decades as a popular sports and entertainment venue, sustained 'a huge amount of damage'.

Actor Rob Lowe, a Dayton native, tweeted on Tuesday: 'Praying for my hometown.'  

Lorraine Hoeft picks through her belongings scattered across her yard after the tornado touched down in Charles City, Iowa, and destroyed her family's home on Monday

Lorraine Hoeft picks through her belongings scattered across her yard after the tornado touched down in Charles City, Iowa, and destroyed her family's home on Monday

The living room of Doug and Lorraine Hoeft's Charles City home was destroyed. Dirt and debris is seen scattered all over the living space

The living room of Doug and Lorraine Hoeft's Charles City home was destroyed. Dirt and debris is seen scattered all over the living space 

A tornado ripped the front off of a two-story home on Johnsville Brookville Road in Brookville, Ohio

A tornado ripped the front off of a two-story home on Johnsville Brookville Road in Brookville, Ohio

A building on the Floyd County Fairgrounds site in Charles City, Iowa, is seen leveled after a tornado touched down in the area on Monday

A building on the Floyd County Fairgrounds site in Charles City, Iowa, is seen leveled after a tornado touched down in the area on Monday

Property and tree damage was extensive in Pendleton, Indiana, where a tornado landed overnight

Property and tree damage was extensive in Pendleton, Indiana, where a tornado landed overnight 

Daniel Williams, of Clayton, Ohio walks through his damaged house after a tornado touched down overnight

Daniel Williams, of Clayton, Ohio walks through his damaged house after a tornado touched down overnight

Neighbors in Clayton, Ohio, gather belongings after houses were damaged during the devastating tornado

Neighbors in Clayton, Ohio, gather belongings after houses were damaged during the devastating tornado

Members of a search and rescue team inspect homes in Trotwood, Ohio, Tuesday. One crew member is seen standing on top of what's left of the home

Members of a search and rescue team inspect homes in Trotwood, Ohio, Tuesday. One crew member is seen standing on top of what's left of the home 

Weather experts said 51 tornadoes (depicted in this graphic) were reported across eight states overnight and residents of Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, are still not in the clear as severe weather is forecast to continue through Tuesday and into Wednesday

Weather experts said 51 tornadoes (depicted in this graphic) were reported across eight states overnight and residents of Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, are still not in the clear as severe weather is forecast to continue through Tuesday and into Wednesday

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, 14 suspected tornadoes touched down in Indiana, 10 in Colorado and nine in Ohio. Six suspected tornadoes were reported in Iowa, five in Nebraska, four in Illinois, three in Minnesota, while one was reported in Idaho

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center, 14 suspected tornadoes touched down in Indiana, 10 in Colorado and nine in Ohio. Six suspected tornadoes were reported in Iowa, five in Nebraska, four in Illinois, three in Minnesota, while one was reported in Idaho

CATASTROPHIC WEATHER ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND MIDWEST STATES CAUSES 11 DEATHS IN TWO WEEKS

The devastating storms began earlier this month when they bombarded the central US and produced dozens of destructive tornadoes, massive hail and damaging winds. 

MAY 17-19: TORNADO ALLEY, NORTH DAKOTA DOWN TO TEXAS:

According to the  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Storm Prediction Center (SPC), more than 30 tornadoes touched down in Nebraska and Kansas on May 17. 

Texas had at least six and one touched down in Oklahoma. 

At the time, the National Weather Service said that there were areas hit with 'strong tornadoes, significant damaging winds and very large hail'. 

A Friday twister near McCook, Nebraska
Another Friday tornado close to Fort Stockton, Texas

Tornado Alley - from North Dakota down to Texas - was the most impacted by the dangerous weather but 18 states in total and roughly 40 million residents were at risk

One tornado hit Sheridan, Illinois and hail as big as golf balls was reported to have fallen not far from Chicago.

By May 18, at least 8 large tornadoes had touched down primarily in Texas while another was reported to have ravaged Oklahoma. 

Throughout that weekend, a total of 18 states with 40 million people were affected by the storm systems.

MAY 20: OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS THREATENED BY MORE STORMS 

Tornadoes were spotted in Texas and Oklahoma on May 20 as some two million people across a broad swath of both states braced against the US National Weather service's warning that the risk of twisters in the region was at the highest level they had seen in years.

At the time, a tornado warning was issued for Reno, Kingfisher and Okarche in Oklahoma. A funnel cloud was also spotted in Paducah, Texas.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center issued the highest threat level possible, of a 5 out of 5, for violent tornadoes on May 20. 

Soon after the tornado threat was over, the threat of a flash flood in Oklahoma increased. Storm cells that developed followed one after the other in what is called 'training,' leading to scattered reports of flash flooding that night.

MAY 21: TORNADOES IN OKLAHOMA, TEXAS, KANSAS AND MISSOURI AND SNOW IN COLORADO 

Four million residents were under a flash flood 'emergency warning' on May 21, including in Oklahoma, where as much as five feet of water entered homes in Hominy, to the northeast of the state.

Some 22 tornadoes were reported across Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. Rescue crews in boats pulled at least 50 people from flood waters as heavy downpours inundated roads and homes. 

Meanwhile in Colorado, snow was falling - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades - leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice.

Four million residents were under a flash flood 'emergency warning' on May 21, including in Oklahoma, where as much as five feet of water entered homes in Hominy, to the northeast of the state. Meanwhile in Colorado, snow (pictured) was falling - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades - leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice

Four million residents were under a flash flood 'emergency warning' on May 21, including in Oklahoma, where as much as five feet of water entered homes in Hominy, to the northeast of the state. Meanwhile in Colorado, snow (pictured) was falling - the latest it has fallen in more than four decades - leaving houses and cars covered and roads coated in black ice

MAY 22: SECOND CONSECUTIVE DAY OF TORNADOES IN THE MIDWEST 

Last week, this dangerous storm system in the Midwest produced dozens of tornadoes for the second consecutive day, leaving two dead, demolishing a racetrack grandstand and damaging a wild animal park. 

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said an SUV skidded across the center of US 160 and struck a tractor-trailer, killing Brandon Beasley, 23, and his 24-year-old wife, Christin, of Willard, Missouri, who were in the SUV. 

Missouri Gov Mike Parson declared a state of emergency, citing worsening flood concerns and soil inundation. 

The severe weather started in the Southern Plains on May 20 and moved to the northeast. Missouri and parts of Illinois and Arkansas were in the cross-hairs by Tuesday. 

At this point, some 37 tornadoes had been reported across Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. Those include the previous 22 tornadoes on May 21. 

Two barges broke loose and floated swiftly down the swollen Arkansas River in eastern Oklahoma on May 22. 

MAY 22 INTO MAY 23: VIOLENT MISSOURI TORNADO  

Late Wednesday night, the tornado touched down in Jefferson City, causing heavy damage in Missouri's capital city.

The tornado was blamed on three deaths, and it also left several people trapped in the wreckage of their homes.

The service reported at the time that a 'confirmed large and destructive tornado' was observed over Jefferson City at 11.43pm on Wednesday.

Missouri Public Safety confirmed in a tweet that three people were killed in the Golden City area of Barton County, and several injured in the Carl Junction area of Jasper County.

At this point, the death toll from the week's storms included a 74-year-old woman found early Wednesday morning in Iowa. 

Missouri authorities said heavy rain was a contributing factor in the deaths of two people in a traffic accident Tuesday near Springfield.

A fourth weather-related death may have occurred in Oklahoma, where the Highway Patrol said a woman apparently drowned after driving around a barricade Tuesday near Perkins, about 45 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. 

Officials reported a total of seven deaths, including the three deaths in Jefferson City. 

MAY 24: DEATH TOLL INCREASES AS FLOOD FEARS RISE  

The bodies of a man and a woman were discovered Friday in a submerged vehicle near the Mississippi River in Missouri, bringing the death toll to nine from storms that have ravaged the central US.

John Reinhardt, 20, and Caitlin Frangel, 19, both of Hazelwood, Missouri, were reported missing on May 15. 

Their bodies were found around 4am on a flooded rural road that runs along the river at Portage Des Sioux, about 40 miles north of St Louis.

Heavy rain in recent weeks spurred major flooding in several states.

Flooding along the Arkansas River threatened communities from Tulsa into western Arkansas through the holiday weekend, as water released from an Oklahoma dam combined with additional rain.

MAY 26: TORNADOES CONTINUE AND THE DEATH TOLL RISES TO 11  

The devastating weather continued for the entire week and into the weekend as two more people were killed when a tornado tore through El Reno, Oklahoma, Saturday night.  

The American Budget Value Inn in El Reno was decimated by the tornado. More than 30 people were reportedly inside the hotel when the twister struck. 

Witnesses said they saw people being pulled from the rubble of the hotel in the aftermath. A nearby mobile home park that was also in the tornado's path was completely destroyed. It remains unclear how many people were injured.

Before Saturday's deaths were reported, the death toll from the storms across the Central and Midwest states was at nine.  

More than 30 people wee are believed to have been inside the hotel when the tornado struck. Pictured are emergency workers checking hat is left of the second floor of the hotel

More than 30 people were inside the hotel when the tornado struck. Pictured are emergency workers checking what is left of the second floor of the hotel. Two people were killed, bringing the death toll to 11 

Drone footage showed large, modern homes in Celina obliterated by the tornado while ones right next door dodged its fury. 

Kylie Post, a Celina resident, said that when she heard tornado sirens start blaring, she and her son took shelter in a bathtub and covered themselves with a mattress - because their house has no basement.

'The first thing I heard was the sirens. Then, next it sounded almost like a train was near us that lasted for only a few minutes,' Post told Cincinnati.com.

Multiple schools in the area were closed or had delayed starts Tuesday.

Towns just outside Dayton, Ohio, took some of the heaviest hits. 

In Vandalia, about 10 miles directly north of Dayton, Francis Dutmers and his wife were headed for the basement and safety Monday night when the storm hit with 'a very loud roar'.

'I just got down on all fours and covered my head with my hands,' said Dutmers, who said the winds blew out windows around his house, filled rooms with storm debris, and took down most of his trees. 

But he and his wife were not injured and the house is still livable, he said. 

Homes stand damaged after a tornado passed through the area overnight in Brookville, Ohio

Homes stand damaged after a tornado passed through the area overnight in Brookville, Ohio

In Brookville, west of Dayton, the storm tore roofs off schools, destroyed a barn and heavily damaged houses. This photo shows the Brookville High School

In Brookville, west of Dayton, the storm tore roofs off schools, destroyed a barn and heavily damaged houses. This photo shows the Brookville High School 

A section of roof was torn off of Brookville High School (pictured) after the tornado ripped through the area overnight in Brookville, Ohio

A section of roof was torn off of Brookville High School (pictured) after the tornado ripped through the area overnight in Brookville, Ohio 

Storm damage litters a residential neighborhood in Vandalia, Ohio. Authorities are currently surveying damage in several areas

Storm damage litters a residential neighborhood in Vandalia, Ohio. Authorities are currently surveying damage in several areas

A resident shared video of a neighborhood in Dayton, Ohio, on Snapchat
This photo shows a downed power line in Dayton, Ohio

Just before midnight, not 40 minutes after that tornado cut through, the weather service tweeted that another one was traversing its path, churning up debris densely enough to be seen on radar. These Snapchat screen shots show damage in Dayton, Ohio 

The power response will require a 'multi-day restoration effort,' utility Dayton Power & Light said in an early morning tweet. The company said 64,000 of its customers alone were without power. This photo of a damaged truck is seen in Dayton, Ohio

The power response will require a 'multi-day restoration effort,' utility Dayton Power & Light said in an early morning tweet. The company said 64,000 of its customers alone were without power. This photo of a damaged truck is seen in Dayton, Ohio

A resident shared this photo on Snapchat Tuesday morning from Dayton, Ohio
Another resident also shared this photo of a first responder surveying damage in Dayton, Ohio

 No serious injuries have been reported in Ohio but residents are currently surveying their damaged neighborhoods and homes (left and right, from Dayton, Ohio)

A destroyed building is seen in Dayton, Ohio
A Dayton, Ohio, resident took video of this toppled building

At least half a dozen communities from eastern Indiana through central Ohio suffered damage, according to the National Weather Service. A resident took this footage in Dayton, Ohio 

In Harrison Township fire chief Mark Lynch said that the town appeared to be hit by 'World War III' and that it will take 'several years of rebuilding'.

The NWS tweeted Monday night that a 'large and dangerous tornado' hit near Trotwood, Ohio, eight miles northwest of Dayton. 

Several apartment buildings were damaged or destroyed. Emergency crews started going door-to-door in the middle of the night and into Tuesday morning to help anyone trapped by debris in Indiana and Ohio. 

Police scanners indicated that dozens of people trapped in their homes and needed help. 

Madison County Emergency Management spokesman Todd Harmeson said least 75 homes were damaged in Pendleton and the nearby community of Huntsville. 

Seven people were reported injured in the storm in Pendleton. 

Madison County authorities said roads in Pendleton, about 35 miles northeast of Indianapolis, are blocked with trees, downed power lines and utility poles. Pendleton High School is open as a shelter.

The NWS said a survey team will investigate damage in Madison County and possibly in Henry County. Another team may survey damage in Tippecanoe County. 

The 'large and dangerous' tornado (pictured) wreaked havoc after touching down near Dayton, Ohio, late Monday night

The 'large and dangerous' tornado (pictured) wreaked havoc after touching down near Dayton, Ohio, late Monday night

Photos taken by residents showed severely damaged homes, and trees and downed power lines

Photos taken by residents showed severely damaged homes, and trees and downed power lines 

One tornado's path crossed over Interstate 75 and images showed debris strewn across the highway

One tornado's path crossed over Interstate 75 and images showed debris strewn across the highway

Some 5 million people were without power early Tuesday in Ohio alone. Residents are seen walking through debris as they try to enter their residence at the Westbrooke Village Apartment building in Trotwood, Ohio

Some 5 million people were without power early Tuesday in Ohio alone. Residents are seen walking through debris as they try to enter their residence at the Westbrooke Village Apartment building in Trotwood, Ohio

Two tornadoes hit the metro area of Dayton, Ohio, on Monday night in the span of just 30 minutes apart, according to the NWS.  

The aftermath left some lanes of Interstate 75 blocked north of Dayton. 

Trucks with plows were scraping tree branches and rubble to the side to get the major north-south route reopened, according to Matt Bruning, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Bruning said that trying to clear the debris in the middle of the night is a difficult task, complicated by darkness and downed power lines.

He said tow trucks would eventually have to deal with damaged vehicles along the road. 

'We'll do a more thorough cleaning after we get lanes opened,' he told the Associated Press by text early Tuesday, noting that tow trucks would have to haul off damaged vehicles along the roadway, too.

In Brookville, west of Dayton, the storm tore roofs off schools, destroyed a barn and heavily damaged houses.

Crews were also clearing debris in two other counties northwest of Dayton.

In Montgomery County, Sheriff Streck said many roads were impassable. 

The sheriff's office initially said the Northridge High School gymnasium would serve as an emergency shelter in Dayton but later said it wasn't useable.  

A car is covered with debris that was ripped from an apartments building after a tornado touched down overnight in Trotwood, Ohio

A car is covered with debris that was ripped from an apartments building after a tornado touched down overnight in Trotwood, Ohio

Storm damage liters a residential neighborhood as fire fighters and city crews work to assess damage

Storm damage liters a residential neighborhood as fire fighters and city crews work to assess damage 

Trailers stand damaged following a tornado in the Northridge suburb of Dayton, Ohio

Trailers stand damaged following a tornado in the Northridge suburb of Dayton, Ohio

Debris sits in the front yard of a house on Rolfe Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday morning following a devastating tornado

Debris sits in the front yard of a house on Rolfe Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday morning following a devastating tornado

A resident assesses tornado damage on Rolfe Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday morning

A resident assesses tornado damage on Rolfe Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, on Tuesday morning 

Power lines and trees were downed and debris was scattered across roads in Beavercreek, Ohio, after a tornado struck

Power lines and trees were downed and debris was scattered across roads in Beavercreek, Ohio, after a tornado struck 

At least half a dozen communities from eastern Indiana through central Ohio suffered damage, according to the NWS.  

Another reported tornado touched down just east of Dayton at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. 

When another tornado struck around 75 miles away in Circleville, Ohio, just before 1am the agency warned residents to 'take cover'.  

One tornado was described as 'large and dangerous'. It wreaked havoc in western Ohio after tearing through buildings and causing widespread damage.  

The first destructive tornado first touched down in the city of Trotwood, just outside Dayton, at about 11pm on Monday night before moving through the state. 

At the time, the NWS described the tornado as 'extremely dangerous' and warned residents to remain in their shelters as it tore through the heavily populated area.

'This is a life threatening situation', the NWS warned in a tweet.   

The agency also told residents to 'take cover' in two nearby counties. 

'RADAR CONFIRMED TORNADO JUST SOUTH OF CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO. TAKE COVER IF YOU ARE IN SOUTHEAST PICKAWAY COUNTY OR SOUTHWEST FAIRFIELD COUNTY!!!' a spokesman tweeted.

Weather officials reported signs on their radars of debris being lifted tens of thousands of feet when the first tornado touched down. 

Photos taken by residents showed severely damaged homes and buildings as well as downed trees and power lines.

The most severe damage was reported in the Dayton metro area and Celina, about 60 miles north-west of Dayton (home pictured in the area)

The most severe damage was reported in the Dayton metro area and Celina, about 60 miles north-west of Dayton (home pictured in the area) 

Luis Cacho of Dayton, Ohio, had his living room destroyed after the town was struck by a tornado on Monday night
There were reports of houses being cut in half and others that were completely flattened

Emergency crews started going door-to-door in the middle of the night and into Tuesday morning to check on residents in Indiana and Ohio (pictured is the inside of a home in Dayton)

The storms strew debris so thick that at one point, highway crews had to use snowplows (pictured) to clear an interstate

The storms strew debris so thick that at one point, highway crews had to use snowplows (pictured) to clear an interstate 

The destroyed Aldi supermarket near Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton
Stephen Moad posted this photo of downed power lines near his home in Beavercreek, Ohio

Residents took photos of a destroyed Aldi supermarket and downed power lines near Beavercreek, Ohio, a suburb of Dayton, after it was struck by the tornado

The NWS reported that some residents were trapped in collapsed buildings in several areas with firefighters and EMTs having difficulty reaching the scenes due to debris in the roads and power lines blocking highways. 

There were reports of houses being cut in half and others that were completely flattened.

The steeple of the New Life Worship Center in Dayton snapped off when one tornado tore through. Part of the center's roof was also torn off and landed in the car park. 

About 25 people, including children, were reported to be hiding in the church at the time. 

Soon after the tornado struck the Dayton metro area, there were reports of severe, tornado-producing thunderstorms striking the same areas and multiple tornado warnings were put in place for Montgomery County. 

The weather service issued several tornado warnings for cities outside Daytona and urged residents to be vigilant as the night went on. 

Multiple warnings were still in place after midnight, including for Cedarville, Wilberforce and Jamestown.

One resident posted footage of damaged buildings in Dayton, Ohio
A resident posted damage to their home in Dayton, Ohio

One resident posted footage of damaged buildings in Dayton (left), while another showed the damage to their home (right)

The NWS warned residents in south east Pickaway County or south west Fairfield County to 'take cover' as a tornado was confirmed south of Circleville, Ohio

The NWS warned residents in south east Pickaway County or south west Fairfield County to 'take cover' as a tornado was confirmed south of Circleville, Ohio 

Lightening illuminated the sky above Dayton as a tornado struck the area, causing devastation to buildings and homes

Lightening illuminated the sky above Dayton as a tornado struck the area, causing devastation to buildings and homes

The devastation in Ohio comes after a week of tornadoes in Missouri and Oklahoma. 

Early Tuesday morning, the president tweeted his support for tornado survivors in Oklahoma, where two people were killed and 29 were injured by a twister that struck a motel and mobile home park over the weekend.

The tornado was the third in a week to rake the central US. 

President Donald Trump tweeted: Spoke with @GovStitt of Oklahoma last night from Japan because of the devastating tornadoes. Told him that @FEMA and the federal government are fully behind him and the great people of Oklahoma.' 

In Tulsa, officials were monitoring the Arkansas River after the US Army Corps of Engineers raised the flow at the upriver Keystone Dam by 65 per cent since last week to 275,000 cubic feet per second. 

The heavier flow is testing two aging levees in Tulsa, the city said.

Flooded areas of Arkansas and Oklahoma are currently bracing for more rain that will feed the already swollen Arkansas River, forecasters said on Monday. 

Another three died last Wednesday when a tornado packing speeds of 160mph tore through Jefferson City in Missouri.

At the time, Missouri Public Safety confirmed in a tweet that three people were killed in the Golden City area of Barton County, and several injured in the Carl Junction area of Jasper County 

Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri have all activated National Guard units to respond to the storms.  

The tornado struck the city of Trotwood, just outside Dayton, at about 11pm on Monday night

The tornado struck the city of Trotwood, just outside Dayton, at about 11pm on Monday night

In Wagner Ford and along Interstate 75 in Dayton, Ohio, roofs on buildings were missing, chimneys were seen lying in the road and houses were destroyed

In Wagner Ford and along Interstate 75 in Dayton, Ohio, roofs on buildings were missing, chimneys were seen lying in the road and houses were destroyed

A man walking through the devastation in Dayton, Ohio
In Dayton, buildings along Springfield Street were torn apart by the tornado

A man walking through the devastation in Dayton, Ohio, as debris was left across the pavement and road, power lines were damaged and buildings ripped apart 

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At least one dead and 35 injured in Ohio after 'rapid-fire' tornadoes tore through the state

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