Cincinnati, OH F3 Tornado – August 9, 1969

Moving east-southeastward at 50 mph, this tornado first touched ground 8 miles north-northeast of Cincinnati’s downtown area.  It then passed through portions of Hartwell, Arlington Heights, Reading, Amberly, Deer Park, Silverton, Madeira, Indian Hill, and Terrace Park in Hamilton County and near or through portions of Milford, Perintown, Owensville, and Williamsburg in Clermont County.  

The greatest damage and most injuries were from Hartwell to Reading.  Within this area there are numerous apartment complexes, motels and restaurants.  However, major damage and injuries also occurred between Reading and Indian Hill. The area from Indian Hill to Williamsburg is more rural so damages between these points were more scattered.  Total storm damage was estimated at 10 to 12 million in Hamilton County and $200,000 in Clermont County. Within the first mile of the storms path, one restaurant was demolished; part of a large motel was destroyed;  an apartment complex of 400 unites had to be evacuated because of severe damage estimated at over $1,000,000. A railroad freight car was derailed and many automobiles were crushed by trees, overturned, or picked up and dashed to the ground.  Totally, the twister left approximately 1500 persons homeless. Within the tornado’s path, 27 homes were demolished, 200 were heavily damaged and about 2300 others had minor damage. Twenty-five businesses and about 100 mobile homes also were damaged or destroyed.