Thousands Without Power, Dozens Homeless, Roads Closed
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim [email protected]
The American Red Cross in Elkhart County set up a shelter at Nappanee Missionary Church, Ind. 19, in response to the storms. Linda Nelson, executive director of the Elkhart County American Red Cross, said that by 8 a.m., 27 storm victims had arrived at the shelter. Nelson said the Red Cross is providing temporary shelter and food for those unable to return to their homes due to tornado damage. Those still in need of assistance, call 574-293-6519.
The Nappanee Police Department reported five people received minor injuries during the storms and were treated at local hospitals. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported this morning.
Nappanee Police reported the storm passed through Nappanee around 10:30 p.m., damaging buildings, downing powerlines and hurling debris and tree limbs across area roads.
According to the Kosciusko Sheriff's Department, roads closed due to downed trees and powerlines include Hepton Road, from Ind. 19 to CR 1000W; CR 1100N, from CR1000W to the Marshall County line; CR 1350N, from Ind. 19 to CR 1000W; CR 1200N, between CRs 900N and 1000N; U.S. 6, in Elkhart County, from Ind. 15 to CR 3 (Kosciusko CR 950W); Ind. 19, from Hepton Road (Kosciusko County) to CR 46 (Elkhart County). Police advised motorists to avoid storm-damaged areas and not to drive around posted barricades.
Nappanee's city water system lost pressure during the storm and, at press time, residents were advised to boil their water until further notice. Emergency officials asked that all businesses in Nappanee remain closed today, and advised the public to stay off city streets and away from storm-damaged areas.
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. estimated that more than 4,000 homes were without power during the night. By morning, NIPSCO reported power had been restored to 1,000 homes, but it may be several days before all power is restored.
Kosciusko REMC reported 2,500 customers experienced power outages or interruptions this morning and Thursday night. According to a report from KREMC, about 100 homes in the Echo Bay area and Windmill West subdivision were still without power this morning.
KREMC reported 1,700 customers were temporarily without power Thursday night after the Northwest and Clunette substations were out of service. KREMC reported power had been restored to those customers by this morning. Another outage at the Montone South substation caused 788 customers to lose power for two hours.
Emergency officials worked this morning to assess the damage caused by the storm. Nappanee declared a state of emergency.
The KCSD reported an initial estimate of $3,322,000 in damage from the storm to 39 locations in Scott Township. The report included heavy damage to multiple houses, garages, barns and vehicles and one dead horse.
"When all this boils down, Elkhart County and Nappanee are going to have some rather significant damage numbers," said Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock.
Rock said Elkhart County will likely pursue a federal declaration of emergency for the storm-damaged area. Rock said, in the event of a federal declaration, contiguous counties, including Kosciusko County, may be eligible for federal aid. Rock said though the tornado affected only a small portion of Kosciusko County, the amount of damage it caused likely will qualify the county for the federal assistance.
Nelson said the Red Cross will take volunteers to help clean up the storm damaged area Saturday. Volunteers are asked to call the Hope Crisis Response Network, 866-909-4673.
"Primarily, they're looking for people with chainsaws," Nelson said.
The Salvation Army also responded to the scene and is accepting financial donations to help storm victims. For information, call 574-533-9584.[[In-content Ad]]
The American Red Cross in Elkhart County set up a shelter at Nappanee Missionary Church, Ind. 19, in response to the storms. Linda Nelson, executive director of the Elkhart County American Red Cross, said that by 8 a.m., 27 storm victims had arrived at the shelter. Nelson said the Red Cross is providing temporary shelter and food for those unable to return to their homes due to tornado damage. Those still in need of assistance, call 574-293-6519.
The Nappanee Police Department reported five people received minor injuries during the storms and were treated at local hospitals. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported this morning.
Nappanee Police reported the storm passed through Nappanee around 10:30 p.m., damaging buildings, downing powerlines and hurling debris and tree limbs across area roads.
According to the Kosciusko Sheriff's Department, roads closed due to downed trees and powerlines include Hepton Road, from Ind. 19 to CR 1000W; CR 1100N, from CR1000W to the Marshall County line; CR 1350N, from Ind. 19 to CR 1000W; CR 1200N, between CRs 900N and 1000N; U.S. 6, in Elkhart County, from Ind. 15 to CR 3 (Kosciusko CR 950W); Ind. 19, from Hepton Road (Kosciusko County) to CR 46 (Elkhart County). Police advised motorists to avoid storm-damaged areas and not to drive around posted barricades.
Nappanee's city water system lost pressure during the storm and, at press time, residents were advised to boil their water until further notice. Emergency officials asked that all businesses in Nappanee remain closed today, and advised the public to stay off city streets and away from storm-damaged areas.
Northern Indiana Public Service Co. estimated that more than 4,000 homes were without power during the night. By morning, NIPSCO reported power had been restored to 1,000 homes, but it may be several days before all power is restored.
Kosciusko REMC reported 2,500 customers experienced power outages or interruptions this morning and Thursday night. According to a report from KREMC, about 100 homes in the Echo Bay area and Windmill West subdivision were still without power this morning.
KREMC reported 1,700 customers were temporarily without power Thursday night after the Northwest and Clunette substations were out of service. KREMC reported power had been restored to those customers by this morning. Another outage at the Montone South substation caused 788 customers to lose power for two hours.
Emergency officials worked this morning to assess the damage caused by the storm. Nappanee declared a state of emergency.
The KCSD reported an initial estimate of $3,322,000 in damage from the storm to 39 locations in Scott Township. The report included heavy damage to multiple houses, garages, barns and vehicles and one dead horse.
"When all this boils down, Elkhart County and Nappanee are going to have some rather significant damage numbers," said Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock.
Rock said Elkhart County will likely pursue a federal declaration of emergency for the storm-damaged area. Rock said, in the event of a federal declaration, contiguous counties, including Kosciusko County, may be eligible for federal aid. Rock said though the tornado affected only a small portion of Kosciusko County, the amount of damage it caused likely will qualify the county for the federal assistance.
Nelson said the Red Cross will take volunteers to help clean up the storm damaged area Saturday. Volunteers are asked to call the Hope Crisis Response Network, 866-909-4673.
"Primarily, they're looking for people with chainsaws," Nelson said.
The Salvation Army also responded to the scene and is accepting financial donations to help storm victims. For information, call 574-533-9584.[[In-content Ad]]
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