A dangerous thunderstorm that included a tornado warning hit the area April 3, 2018, and there were at least 20 power poles knocked down leaving an estimated 4,000 residents without electricity. The City of Grove City opened its emergency operations center April 3, 2018 to manage the incident.

“Fire personnel, police officers and dispatchers did an excellent job handling the response, and rescuing numerous victims trapped in vehicles,” said Randy Little, Jackson Township fire chief. “No injuries were reported from the incident.”

A shelter was opened at the Evans Senior Center, 4330 Dudley Ave., and will remain open until 5 p.m. April 4, 2018. Cell phone charging stations are available at the Evans Center; Grove City Library, 3959 Broadway; YMCA, 3600 Discovery Drive; and Jackson Township Administration Building, 3756 Hoover Road.

Orders Road is closed between Haughn and Hoover, and Hoover Road is closed between Holton and Vi-Lilly Boulevard. AEP staff is working on restoring power. National Weather Service personnel are inspecting storm damage to verify whether or not it was from a tornado.

Residents should consider signing up for Franklin County Alert: alertfranklincounty.org. Updates routinely are being posted to the Jackson Township Twitter page: @JacksonTWP, or go to grovecityohio.gov/topic/grove-city-storm-updates.