What the report says
A NWS damage assessment determined that an EF-1 rain-wrapped tornado was embedded in a line of severe thunderstorms that went through Defiance during the afternoon of April 4th. Beginning on the southwest side of town, the tornado produced some minor shingle/tree damage. At least one home was likely destroyed due to a fallen tree. Sporadic, significant tree damage was observed through Riverside Cemetery. The tornado then nearly paralleled S Clinton St as it moved from southwest to northeast. The most impressive damage was done near Davidson and S. Clinton St where several trunks were snapped, a branch lodged into a roof, and several wooden transmission lines were snapped. The circulation continued into downtown Defiance, uprooting/snapping trees, and producing minor to moderate roof damage to numerous businesses including a large church, bank, and USPS building, among others. Notable tree damage was done at the Old Fort before the tornado crossed the river confluence. Video footage from residence confirms a circulation made it across the river. Widespread additional tree and roof damage was then noted in the neighborhoods just north of the Maumee River and west of Carpenter Rd. Finally, several trunks were snapped or uprooted in the Eagle Rock Golf Course before the circulation appears to have dissipated.
- Event (NWS name)
- TORNADO
- When
- Saturday, April 4, 2026, 2:18 PM EDT
- Where
- 2 SW Defiance
- County
- Defiance County
- Measurement
- None given
- Reported by
- NWS Storm Survey
- Issued by
- NWS Northern Indiana
- Location
- 41.26, -84.40 · map