A tornado touched down in Highland County on Friday, March 3rd at approximately 5:23 p.m. The tornado touched down southwest of Hillsboro, moving from St. Rt. 138 through the communities of Fairview and Willetsville, towards the Village of Highland. The tornado caused damage to approximately 20 homes, a church, and multiple barns and outbuildings in the area.
A second area in southern Highland County near the Village of Marshall also reported a potential tornado with some reported damage to agricultural buildings.
Prolonged periods of high wind continued throughout the night, causing additional damage, downed limbs and trees, and power outages.
As of 8:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4th, 2,547 residences were without power with no estimate available for when power would be restored.
The Highland County Emergency Management Agency has deployed damage assessment teams throughout Highland County to identify the scope of tornado and storm damage.
To report damage to your residence, please call the Highland County EMA at (937) 393-5880.
To report damage to agricultural structures, please call the Farm Service Agency at (937) 393-1921.
The Highland County EMA wants to remind the community to be careful around downed power lines. To report downed power lines, please call your electric supplier or call the Highland County Sheriff’s Office at (937) 393-1421.
The Highland County EMA has established an Emergency Operation Center to coordinate Highland County’s response to this tornado. Please contact the EOC at (937) 393-5880 with any questions about Highland County response operations. Further updates will be released as needed.