The National Weather Service rated the worst of the damage F4 on the Fujita scale, near and within the Van Wert area.

[1][2] Immediately after touching down, the tornado rapidly intensified to F4 on the Fujita scale as it crossed Zook Road approximately five miles (8.0 km) southwest of Van Wert.

[2][3][4] According to the National Weather Service (NWS), he was attempting to shield his wheelchair-bound wife when the tornado struck.

[2][6] After leaving Van Wert, the tornado continued northeast and crossed into Paulding County, where it struck the community of Roselms.

[8] The tornado also leveled the Washington Township building,[4] and continued northeast at F3 intensity as it crossed into Putnam County.

[2] While traveling three miles (4.8 km) through Defiance County, the tornado skipped, and caused F0 damage to five homes and some outbuildings before crossing into Henry County,[2] where it continued to skip, and caused F0 damage to outbuildings and trees along a 12-mile (19 km) path.

[2] In total, the tornado killed four people and injured seventeen others along its 53-mile (85 km) path, and reached a peak width of 880 yd (800 m).