Xenia, OH F4 Tornado – September 20, 2000

SPC Stats

Path length: 9 miles

Width: 500 yards

Fatalities: 1

Injuries: 100

Rating: F4

County: Greene

It was the second time in 26 years that the town of Xenia, OH was hit by a major tornado. Some of the same areas struck by the 1974 F5 were hit again by this F4 on September 20, 2000. Along the 9 mile path, approximately 250 homes and 40 businesses were damaged/destroyed. Cars were thrown from the Highway 35 bypass into ditches. 4 semis were thrown up to 400 yards near the fairgrounds.

There was one fatality from this tornado, Mr. James Mullins, JR. Here is a article from the Dayton Daily News from September 20, 2000.

Fri, Sep 22, 2000 – 27 · Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio) · Newspapers.com

Storm Data Entry

A violent tornado that moved at 65 mph hit the town of Xenia for the second time in 26 years damaging some of the same areas that were hit in 1974. Along the path of the tornado, around 250 homes were either damaged or destroyed, over 40 businesses were damaged or destroyed including the local Wal Mart, Kroger, and Tire Discounters, and 6 churches were damaged. A strip mall was nearly destroyed, cars were thrown from the Highway 35 bypass into ditches, 4 semi-trailers were thrown up to 400 yards, and most of the buildings were damaged or destroyed at the Greene county fairgrounds. In Sugarcreek Township, which is to the southwest of Xenia, an additional 14 houses and 3 barns were damaged and some crops were destroyed on a narrow path. Over 10,000 residents were without power for at least 1 day.

Additional Information from the Public Information Statement released by NWS Wilmington on September 21, 2000

Initial touchdown on a golf course approximately 2 miles SW of the Green County Airport.
Cyclonic swirls in corn and bean fields, as well as numerous snapped and twister trees marked a discontinuous path NE toward Xenia.
A residence on Van Eaton Road, approximately 4 miles SW of Xenia suffered significant roof and outbuilding damage.
Crossed the Highway 35 by-pass near Upper Bellbrook Road, about 2 miles west of downtown Xenia.
Several cars were thrown from the bypass into ditches at this location and just to the north of the bypass crops were completely scoured from a field.
Tornado continued to move ENE and crossed Highway 35 near Hedger Street.
Several retail stores including a Wal-Mart and Tire Discounters suffered significant damage.
The tire store was almost completely demolished and the storm cut a clear path through the building next to Wal-Mart.
The tornado then moved through a residential area NW of Downtown Xenia toward the fairgrounds area.
Image path reached a max of 500 yards in this area and many homes were heavily damaged.
A line of 4-5 homes less than 1/2 mile from the retail center suffered some of the worst damage with 1 of the homes completely destroyed with no interior walls left standing.
F4 intensity briefly reached in this area.
A businesses across the street from the fairgrounds and a block construction warehouse completely destroyed.
4 semi trailers which had been parked near the business were picked up and scattered. One trailer tossed over 400 yards into the fairgrounds property.
Damage to the fairground was extreme with many buildings heavily damaged.
Additional residents were struck by the tornado NE of the fairgrounds.
A couple of large homes were left with only 1 or 2 interior walls left standing.
Continued to move ENE away from Xenia.
Final evidence of damage in a field about 1 mile north of Central State College.