EF1 Tornado Rips South Columbus, Leaving Families Homeless
Tornado Tears Through South Columbus: Neighbors Left Homeless and Hoping for Help
What Happened?
Imagine waking up to a loud roar, your roof disappearing, and rain pouring into your bedroom. That’s exactly what happened to neighbors in south Columbus, Ohio, when an EF1 tornado—a strong spinning wind storm—touched down on Tuesday morning.
What is an EF1 Tornado?
Think of tornadoes like a strength scale from 0 to 5. An EF1 is on the lower end but still packs winds of 86–110 miles per hour. That’s fast enough to rip roofs off houses, snap trees, and flip cars.
The Hardest-Hit Spot: Hinman & Parsons Avenues
The corner of Hinman and Parsons Avenues took the biggest hit. Dozens of people now have no safe place to live.
One Duplex, Two Neighbors, One Nightmare
Brooklyn Skiver and Shaka Holman shared a duplex on Hinman Avenue. The tornado ripped the entire roof off their home. Now, they’re living through the same scary experience together.
What They Lost
The damage didn’t stop at the roof. Once the roof was gone, rain poured inside and ruined almost everything:
- Clothes — soaked and ruined
- Bed — destroyed by water
- TV — waterlogged and broken
- Cosmetics & personal items — all lost
- The home itself — declared unsafe by the city
Important Callout
"A lot of people drive by, take pictures, and don’t ask us if we are okay or anything."
— Brooklyn Skiver
Days Later: Still Waiting for Help
By Friday evening (three days after the storm):
| Problem | Status |
|---|---|
| Yard debris | Still covered in broken pieces of the duplex and nearby buildings |
| Landlord response | No reply to tenants’ requests for help |
| City inspection | Property officially declared unsafe to live in |
| Temporary housing | Nowhere to go — both tenants are stuck |
10TV (the local news station) even called the property management company and left a message—but so far, no answer.
What Happens Next? Steps to Recovery
While the situation looks bleak, here’s what usually happens after a disaster like this:
- Emergency shelters open — The Red Cross or local churches often set up temporary housing
- Insurance claims start — If the landlord has insurance, it should cover repairs
- City assistance programs — Columbus may offer emergency rental aid or relocation help
- Community donations — Neighbors, strangers, and local groups often donate clothes, furniture, and money
- Long-term rebuilding — The duplex gets repaired or rebuilt, but this takes months
Important Callout
Brooklyn Skiver says it best:
"Just try to rebuild my life, figure out where to go from here."
Summary
- An EF1 tornado hit south Columbus on Tuesday morning
- Dozens displaced, especially at Hinman & Parsons Avenues
- Brooklyn Skiver & Shaka Holman lost their roof and all belongings
- Rain ruined everything inside — clothes, bed, TV, personal items
- Landlord hasn’t responded; city says home is unsafe
- Tenants have nowhere to go and feel ignored by onlookers
- Recovery will take time, community support, and official help
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What does "EF1" mean exactly?
EF stands for Enhanced Fujita Scale—a way to rate tornado strength by the damage they cause. EF1 means moderate damage with winds 86–110 mph. It’s not the strongest tornado, but it’s plenty strong to destroy a roof.
Can the landlord just ignore them?
Legally? No. In Ohio, landlords must provide habitable housing. If the city says it’s unsafe, the landlord must either fix it fast or release the tenants from their lease. But in practice, some landlords drag their feet—which is why legal aid groups often step in.
Where can they go right now?
They can contact:
- Red Cross of Central Ohio — emergency shelter & supplies
- Columbus City Council — emergency rental assistance
- Legal Aid Society of Columbus — free help with landlord disputes
- 211 — dial this number for local resources
How can I help if I live nearby?
- Don’t just take photos — ask "Are you okay? Do you need anything?"
- Drop off clean clothes, blankets, toiletries at a local donation center
- Donate to verified GoFundMe pages or the Red Cross
- Call your city councilperson and ask what the city is doing for displaced renters
Is this common in Ohio?
Ohio gets about 19 tornadoes per year on average. Most are EF0 or EF1. But climate change is making severe storms more frequent, so preparedness matters more than ever.
A Final Thought
Disasters don’t just break buildings—they break routines, safety, and peace of mind. But they also reveal something powerful: community. The next time you see a damaged home, remember Brooklyn and Shaka. Ask. Listen. Help. That’s how rebuilding starts.