Twister Rakes County's Edge: Mikel's Mobile Estates heavily damaged
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
NAPPANEE - Mobile homes lay on their sides and others rest against trees and vehicles.
The tornado that struck Mikel's Mobile Estates Thursday night damaged or destroyed 38 trailers in the park. Only four trailers were left unscathed.
Four people were taken to area hospitals and all were released after being treated for minor cuts and bruises.
The storm struck about 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the mobile home park five miles south of Nappanee on Ind. 19. Residents who were home at the time said they had little or no warning that a tornado was coming.
It is unknown how many people are left without homes after the storm. The Kosciusko County Red Cross is coordinating relief efforts for people who lost their homes and possessions.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Al Rovenstine said when he and his men arrived Thursday night, they first tried to identify who lived in each of the trailers and how many people were in each one.
The next step was to help people trapped in the wrecked mobile homes. Rovenstine said it took about 45 minutes to free people from the debris.
Identification of the residents was important as police searched each trailer to make sure no one was trapped or injured.
Those people left in the park at the time of the storm were taken to Mount Tabor Church of God, less than a mile away, where the Red Cross set up a service center.
Rovenstine said the mobile home park is completely shut down until Monday. Residents are allowed in, but no one is allowed to stay overnight. There is no electric service, water or natural gas in the park.
NIPSCO crews said they are working to restore service, but must check all the lines to make sure there are no leaks that could cause an explosion.
One Kosciusko County Sheriff's deputy said the scene was not as bad as the department feared. A reserve officer said it was fortunate that many residents whose trailers were destroyed were not home at the time, perhaps saving lives and preventing injuries.
The Red Cross housed 13 residents in area motels Thursday night while other residents slept with family, friends or in their vehicles.
The service center at the church will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Saturday and Monday.
Becky Notestine of the Red Cross said volunteers are interviewing people and taking care of emergency needs first, including missing medicine and eyeglasses. Food and clothes are also provided.
Notestine said the Red Cross needs donations of money to help the tornado victims. With the funds donated, the Red Cross can continue to provide for clothes and food lost in the storm.
The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department is leading the organization of relief efforts. Among other agencies that helped Thursday night were Nappanee Fire Department, EMS and Police Department; Multi-Township EMS; Bourbon EMS; Milford EMS and Fire Department; Indiana State Police; and Etna Green and Atwood Fire Departments. [[In-content Ad]]
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NAPPANEE - Mobile homes lay on their sides and others rest against trees and vehicles.
The tornado that struck Mikel's Mobile Estates Thursday night damaged or destroyed 38 trailers in the park. Only four trailers were left unscathed.
Four people were taken to area hospitals and all were released after being treated for minor cuts and bruises.
The storm struck about 7:45 p.m. Thursday at the mobile home park five miles south of Nappanee on Ind. 19. Residents who were home at the time said they had little or no warning that a tornado was coming.
It is unknown how many people are left without homes after the storm. The Kosciusko County Red Cross is coordinating relief efforts for people who lost their homes and possessions.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Al Rovenstine said when he and his men arrived Thursday night, they first tried to identify who lived in each of the trailers and how many people were in each one.
The next step was to help people trapped in the wrecked mobile homes. Rovenstine said it took about 45 minutes to free people from the debris.
Identification of the residents was important as police searched each trailer to make sure no one was trapped or injured.
Those people left in the park at the time of the storm were taken to Mount Tabor Church of God, less than a mile away, where the Red Cross set up a service center.
Rovenstine said the mobile home park is completely shut down until Monday. Residents are allowed in, but no one is allowed to stay overnight. There is no electric service, water or natural gas in the park.
NIPSCO crews said they are working to restore service, but must check all the lines to make sure there are no leaks that could cause an explosion.
One Kosciusko County Sheriff's deputy said the scene was not as bad as the department feared. A reserve officer said it was fortunate that many residents whose trailers were destroyed were not home at the time, perhaps saving lives and preventing injuries.
The Red Cross housed 13 residents in area motels Thursday night while other residents slept with family, friends or in their vehicles.
The service center at the church will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, Saturday and Monday.
Becky Notestine of the Red Cross said volunteers are interviewing people and taking care of emergency needs first, including missing medicine and eyeglasses. Food and clothes are also provided.
Notestine said the Red Cross needs donations of money to help the tornado victims. With the funds donated, the Red Cross can continue to provide for clothes and food lost in the storm.
The Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department is leading the organization of relief efforts. Among other agencies that helped Thursday night were Nappanee Fire Department, EMS and Police Department; Multi-Township EMS; Bourbon EMS; Milford EMS and Fire Department; Indiana State Police; and Etna Green and Atwood Fire Departments. [[In-content Ad]]