Deadly Ohio Tornado Believed to Have Winds up to 175 Mph

June 9, 2010

Weather experts say the weekend tornado that killed five people in Ohio was stronger than first thought, with winds up to 175 mph.

A National Weather Service estimate puts the tornado at a 4 on the 0-to-5 scale for rating tornadoes, with 5 being the most intense.

The weather service had said earlier that the tornado likely rated a 3, with gusts in a range of 136-165 mph.

The upgrade comes after a team of meteorologists surveyed the damage in northwest Ohio on Monday.

The weather service says the tornado may have been as wide as 400 yards and traveled 10 miles.

It was the state’s most powerful tornado since one in 2002 with winds exceeding 200 mph.

Severe storms June 4 – 8 caused extensive damage throughout the Midwest.