JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A massive cleanup effort is under way in Stark County after a tornado ripped through the county Sunday afternoon, leaving a five-mile path of devastation.

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The tornado touched down in Jackson Township, leaving many homeowners shaken and, in some cases, homeless.

The five-mile strip has been declared a disaster area. Storms wrenched dozens of homes from their foundations, toppled walls of neighboring houses and damaged businesses roofs.

Damage from the twister is estimated well into the millions.

Police said no one was seriously injured when the storm cut through Stark County at 1:58 p.m. It passed through Crystal Lake to Jackson Township and North Canton.

"I think we got thrown down the basement steps and then we heard a big crash. And five minutes later, I came up and everything's gone," one homeowner said.

Those who witnessed the tornado said the worst of it lasted only 30 seconds.

"I was in the bedroom window right up there, kind of sleeping, and all of a sudden, I hard a roar and then the roof fell in on my head," one woman said.

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Police are asking people to stay away from the areas that had the most damage. The worst-hit section is along Mudbrook Street NW, south of Portage Street NW. It also includes Wales Avenue NW, Lake Osprings Avenue NW, Frank Road NW and over to Interstate 77.

NewsChannel5 meteorologist Mark Johnson said that a storefront collapsed at the The Strip shopping plaza near I-77. He added that some roofs flew off homes and landed on I-77.

There was an outpouring of kindness Monday as friends, neighbors and complete strangers gathered to lend a helping hand to the victims of the destruction.

The owner of the Best Western in North Canton put up 30 families free of charge Sunday night. Neighbors said the owner went door-to-door handing out his business card to anyone in need.

Jackson's schools were closed Monday because of damage at Jackson Memorial Middle School. The closings include Hoover High School, Jackson Memorial Middle School, St. Mary's Elementary and Jackson Local schools.

All of the aforementioned schools will be open Tuesday, except for Jackson Memorial Middle School. There is a lot of broken glass and downed power lines at the school, as well as damage to the roof. But engineers said that the building is structurally sound.

Inspectors believe it was a F2 tornado on the Fujita Scale. Winds reached up to 200 mph. The strength of a tornado is measured by intensity of the damage that was left behind.

Gov. Bob Taft will be visiting Stark County Tuesday to make his assessment.

The American Red Cross is helping out storm victims. Call (330) 833-9943 if you need assistance.