A cold front, in tandem with strong mid and upper level forcing, produced a severe weather outbreak in southeast Ohio into extreme western West Virginia during the late afternoon and evening of Thursday the 16th. The setup featured a 45 knot mid level flow and a 95 knot upper level jet.  Matter of fact, a larger area of showers, associated with a warm front, had moved across southeast Ohio and West Virginia during the morning and midday hours. This kept the surface based instability at a minimum.  However, new cells formed further west during the mid afternoon over western Ohio.  It was this new cluster of convection that would intensify due to the strong mid and upper level dynamics.  Several of the new cells formed and intensified on the southern or southwestern flank of the overall larger area of showers and thunderstorms.  This area of convection stretched further to the northeast into eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.  This allowed an unimpeded low level moisture inflow into the new development.  Surface dew points ahead of the cold front reached into the mid 60s.
Most of the severe thunderstorms exhibited strong rotation, resulting in the spawning of 5 tornadoes.  Four of these 5 tornadoes were in Ohio.  One of the 4 Ohio tornadoes crossed from Fairfield County into western Perry County.   Another 1 of the 4 crossed from Perry into northwestern Morgan County.  One tornado patch was solely in western Athens County.  The damage continued another 10 miles in Athens County from a strong rear flank downdraft.  Finally, the last of the 4 tornadoes in Ohio crossed the Ohio River from northeastern Meigs County into southern Wood County in West Virginia.  From storm surveys, this was the strongest tornado.  The last tornado path in this outbreak was solely in western West Virginia.  Luckily, there were no fatalities in southeastern Ohio.  However, there was one death on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River.

Tornado in MEIGS, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 19:00:00 to 16-SEP-10 19:05:00 (EST-5)
Location: JOPPA
Tornado F-scale: EF3
Property damage: 1.50M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A new rotating supercell formed south of thunderstorm complex that caused the tornado and strong downburst in western Athens County.  A new tornado formed. Significant structural damage to farm buildings and a few homes occurred along Eden Ridge Road.  This road is also County Route 50.  The tornado path then went across State Route 124 between community of Reedsville and Eden along the Ohio River.  A majority of the mobile homes affected were in this vicinity.  In addition, a well built single family home and its detached commercial grade garage were completely destroyed.  The foundations of both structures were wiped clean.  The EF3 damage included this area along State Route 124.  Maximum wind gusts of 150 mph were estimated.  The county reported 22 structures destroyed or having major damage, including mostly mobile and single family homes.  However, one car repair shop was also included.  Another 20 homes were affected or had minor damage.  Around a dozen outbuildings were damaged or destroyed.   One male received rib and leg fractures when his truck was flipped over while he was in it.  A woman was injured when she was pinned in rubble from her mobile home.  In the dark, her barking dog helped first responders find her faster.  A total of 6 people were injured, 2 seriously.
This tornado crossed the Ohio River and killed a man immediately on the other side of the river in southern Wood County of West Virginia.

Tornado in MORGAN, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 17:28:00 to 16-SEP-10 17:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: ROSE FARM
Tornado F-scale: EF0
Property damage: 60.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The tornado that touch downed in eastern Perry County continued into western Morgan County, before dissipating.  There were several downed trees and large branches along McKinley Street.  Three houses had minor damage and one vehicle was destroyed.  Electricity was out for over 24 hours.
Since 1950, this is the first confirmed tornado in Morgan County.  However, prior to 1950, one tornado was reported in Morgan County back in June of 1928.

Hail in ATHENS, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 17:48:00 to 16-SEP-10 17:48:00 (EST-5)
Location: NELSONVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Tornado in ATHENS, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 17:54:00 to 16-SEP-10 17:58:00 (EST-5)
Location: KIMBERLY
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 750.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

A tornado touchdown was along Kimberly Road, about 4 miles from Nelsonville. The tornado reached maximum intensity along Matheny Road to State Route 691. Matheny Road is also called York Township Road 269.  Damage was concentrated along Matheny Road and State Route 691.  The low level circulation was evident in the damage along Matheny Road.  Debris was strewn one way on the south side of the road, then in the opposite direction on the north side.  One resident said, you could see stuff flying through the air.  Then the noise got real loud and we ran into the house and into a closet.  The house was just shaking.   Several mobile homes were completely destroyed. Yet, some of these mobile homes were poorly anchored or not anchored at all. Many large softwood trees were uprooted or snapped at their trunks.  Reports were received of several cows being lifted by the tornado.  A hay bale weighing 1800 pounds was lofted into the air and set back down.  The maximum wind gusts were estimated at 120 to 130 mph.  A total of 7 people were injured.   About 13 homes were destroyed, with dozens of other homes damaged.
Since 1950, this is only the second confirmed tornado in Athens County.  The previous tornado was a F1 during May of 1980.  However, prior to 1950, 3 tornadoes have been reported in Athens County, back in July of 1896, April of 1922, and June of 1937.  The June 1937 tornado killed 3.   The storm in 1896 was reported in Glouster. However, historical accounts also describe a tornado in the late 1800s that destroyed a large grove of sycamore trees in the city of Athens.

Tornado in PERRY, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 17:21:00 to 16-SEP-10 17:27:00 (EST-5)
Location: MILLIGAN
Tornado F-scale: EF1
Property damage: 250.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The western Perry County tornado lifted, but its associated rotating thunderstorm continued moving over the central portion of the county.  A new tornado touchdown occurred near Melon Hill Road about 3 miles east of New Lexington.  This tornado reached its peak intensity as it crossed near the curved portion of Route 92, about 3 miles south of Crooksville.  The EF1 damage was about 300 yards wide and roughly a mile long, including roofs and portions of roofs blown off several structures.  Peak winds in this vicinity were estimated at 100 to 110 mph.   This tornado continued for a slight distance into northwestern Morgan County.  The tornado was weakening as it crossed the county line.
The total damage from the 2 tornadoes in Perry County included 12 homes with minor damage, 16 homes with major damage, and 8 homes destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in ATHENS, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 17:59:00 to 16-SEP-10 18:14:00 (EST-5)
Location: FLOODWOOD
Magnitude: 87.00 EG
Property damage: 2.00M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The upstream tornado lifted, as the rear flank downdraft of the rotating thunderstorm took over.  This downburst became the dominant feature in The Plains and around the community of Athens.  The width of the damage path widened to about a quarter of a mile.  Winds were estimated as high as 100 mph in The Plains.  As the storm approached, soccer players, fans, coaches, and referees took shelter in the locker rooms, the wrestling rooms, and the lounge for teachers at Athens County High School.  About a dozen adults took shelter in the concession stand.  A few of these parents were injured when the roof was heavily damaged.  The light poles, the press box, and the scoreboard were also damaged or destroyed.  On the roof of the high school, large air condition units were blown off and damaged parked cars.  Several homes were destroyed or damaged.  Roof damage was widespread.  As the wind reached the eastern sections of the town of Athens, the maximum wind gusts were estimated at 80 to 100 mph.  The last significant damage was to an automobile service and towing garage.  The total distance of this downburst was on the order of 10 miles.  A total of 6 people were injured.  About 17 homes were destroyed, many others were damaged.
Including both this downburst and the tornado, Ohio Emergency Managment Agency categorized around 30 homes as destroyed, 51 homes with major damage, and 83 homes with minor damage.

Tornado in PERRY, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 17:00:00 to 16-SEP-10 17:10:00 (EST-5)
Location: CARTHON
Tornado F-scale: EF2
Property damage: 500.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

This tornado originiated in Fairfield County, but got stronger in western Perry County.  The damage path widened as it crossed several north to south oriented roads.  A convergent damage pattern was evident.  Large trees were snapped along Avalon Road.  A greater swath of tree and structural damage was along Otterbein Road.  The damage path widened to as much as 800 yards, though the southern portion of the path was dominant.  The tornado unleashed it worst winds as it continued east to encounter Palomino Road and County Township Road 138.  At this stage, there was aproximately a 1 mile long and 100 yard wide path of EF2 strength winds, estimated at 110 to 120 mph.  A manufactured home on Palomino Road was missing 95 percent of it roof covering and 40 to 50 percent of the roof supports and interior ceilings were missing.  The woman inside was injured when a hallway door struck her in the back.  There were at least 2 eyewitnesses to the actual tornado.  Almost a mile east on County Township Road 138 a cluster of houses was heavily damaged.  The worst damage was a newer 2 story single family home, but seemed to be of the manufactured home quality.  Its roof and garage were completely blown off and thrown away.   The tornado began to weaken as it headed across County Road 25.  The tornado further weakened during its final 1.5 miles, ending near the intersection of County Roads 122, 123, and 134.   About 8 homes were destroyed in this tornado.

Hail in ATHENS, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 18:45:00 to 16-SEP-10 18:45:00 (EST-5)
Location: COOLVILLE
Magnitude: 1.00 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Hail in ATHENS, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 18:52:00 to 16-SEP-10 18:52:00 (EST-5)
Location: COOLVILLE
Magnitude: 1.25 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Wind in MORGAN, OHIO
From 16-SEP-10 17:32:00 to 16-SEP-10 17:32:00 (EST-5)
Location: DEAVERTOWN
Magnitude: 50.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

On the hilltop along Route 555 damage occurred to some outbuildings.