More severe storms swept through northeastern Indiana Friday afternoon, spreading damage across Kosciusko County.

The Nappanee area was still trying to pick up the pieces from a tornado Thursday evening at Mikel's Mobile Estates.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department will have reserve officers at the mobile home park through Sunday. The officers are providing security at the scene and allowing only residents of the park access to the trailers.

Sheriff Al Rovenstine said the residents are trying to gather their personal effects from the wreckage of the trailers. It is estimated that 38 of the 42 trailers in the park were damaged by the tornado.

Only four people were injured and treated at area hospitals for minor cuts and bruises.

There is still no sewage, water, gas or electricity in the park. Rovenstine said he expects utilities to be off most of the weekend until work crews make sure the area is safe.

Volunteers from nearby Mount Tabor Church of God are providing meals for the residents left homeless by the tornado.

"They are doing a tremendous job," Rovenstine said of the church congregation.

The Kosciusko County Red Cross interviewed families Friday to determine what they needed. Housing is being provided by area motels, and funds are available for the storm victims to purchase clothing.

The Red Cross set up a service center at Mount Tabor Church to continue to interview people and provide help.

Becky Notestine of the Red Cross said that monetary donations from the public are important to help the cause and help is given free to the victims of the storm.

Residents of the trailer park had little time to clean up the debris Friday when another line of severe thunderstorms entered Indiana.

A local television station reported there were more than 7,000 lightning strikes in northern Indiana from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Strong winds spawned several tornadoes across the area, but none were reported in Kosciusko County.

Rovenstine said many trees were blown down by the severe winds in Kosciusko County. The southern part of the county around the Mentone area was hit the hardest Friday, Rovenstine said.

Several accidents were reported from drivers striking trees that had blown down in the roadway.

One tree fell across the Conrail railroad tracks near Claypool, blocking a train from South Bend. The sheriff's department received the call in enough time to have the train notified and stopped. The tree was then removed from the tracks.

The sheriff's department also had reports of power outages throughout Kosciusko County. [[In-content Ad]]