By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

At least seven people died in northern Ohio and in Tennessee Sunday in a string of storms and tornadoes that also tore through Greater Cincinnati.

At least two people were killed in Van Wert County, about 145 miles northwest of Cincinnati, and two others died in a mobile home in neighboring Putnam County. The counties are just north and west of Lima.

Multiple tornadoes were spotted throughout northwest and north-central Ohio, and Columbus and Mansfield reported heavy winds and golf ball-sized hail.

Earlier in the day, temperatures at the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport had soared to 74 degrees, tying the record from 1964, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

But by late afternoon, severe storms were blowing down power lines and trees, and a tornado watch was issued for most of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Much of the Tristate also was under a flood warning during late evening. In Dearborn County, Ind., local authorities reported high water along U.S. 50 between Lawrenceburg and Aurora.

Cinergy crews were working to restore power to about 9,500 Ohio and Northern Kentucky customers. Outages spanned from Middletown to Dry Ridge, Ky.

In Kenton County, the emergency weather sirens were activated before 7 p.m. because of the severe thunderstorm warning that came with the tornado watch. Police reported a few trees down, but no heavy damage.

In Tennessee, at least three people were killed and another 13 were injured in the storms. There, winds exceeding 100 mph tore through at least six counties.

The severe weather caught many people spending the afternoon outdoors by surprise.

Wesley Sharomi of Forest Park and Anya Blanchard of Mount Auburn took her dog, a 2-year-old elkhound named Kaitlin, to Eden Park to let off some energy.

"It was kind of our objective just to enjoy the season and the warm weather," Mr. Sharomi said as the rain started to fall around 4 p.m. "We didn't really expect this sudden storm."

Neither did Tara Johnson, who was out with two other University of Cincinnati graduate students cruising Greater Cincinnati with the car windows down. The urban planning majors had to take pictures of area communities' developments for a project.

"It was the perfect day to do it - we even decided to take a break and take a walk," said the 23-year-old from Crescent Springs, Ky. "I just can't believe how fast the clouds rolled in."

The showers, which lasted through the night, will lower temperatures closer to the mid-50s that are normal for this time of year. Today, forecasters predict partly cloudy skies with highs in the lower 50s.

"There probably won't be a whole lot of leaves left after the winds this week and the heavy rains," said Jim Lott, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Wilmington. "For the most part, it's going to look like winter out there."

The Associated Press contributed to this story. E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com

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