Trotwood continues clearing paths into areas affected by tornado

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The city of Trotwood is still working to clear paths into neighborhoods today following an EF-3 tornado that covered 19 miles west of Brookville through Trotwood, Dayton and Riverside, city leaders said.

Trotwood resident Terene Chatfield said it was only 10 seconds that the tornado tore through her neighborhood. She hid under tables in her laundry room and could hear bricks and other things falling, but thought it was just a large thunderstorm.

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“We heard a rumble, almost like a train coming through. It was literally 10 seconds. We just waited until everything settled,” she said.

When she emerged from the lower level, she found pictures had fallen down, a window had blown open and insulation from the attic was all over the floor. Outside the roof was partially ripped off and the porch awning was gone.

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“The next thing we were just yelling for our neighbors. Everybody was yelling, ‘Are you okay, are you okay,’” she said.

A neighbors home was completely demolished. The neighborhood helped a woman trapped in her bedroom get out. Many people gathered in her home where at least they could sit down, she said.

“I was 10 hours you would think it would take to do this much damage but it was literally 10 seconds, and it was the worst 10 seconds of our lives,” she said.

The city is still working with Dayton Power and Light, public works and other groups to clear paths into some neighborhoods, said Quincy Pope, Trotwood City Manager. The fire department transported four people as a result of the storm.

Leaders and volunteers are working to distribute resources to the residents, Pope said.

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