Whiteland Town Sustains Severe Damage
Indiana has been hit by multiple tornadoes and severe storms over the weekend, causing extensive damage across the state. The town of Whiteland was one of the hardest hit areas, with a confirmed touchdown of a powerful tornado that caused significant destruction.
Johnson County Emergency Management confirmed that a tornado had touched down east of Whiteland Road, hitting the southern part of the town and leaving many homes and businesses flattened. Johnson County Sheriff Duane Burgess warned residents to avoid the area and not become “gawkers.”
Debris scattered along I65 near Whiteland, making travel challenging while power lines and trees were downed. Police have also urged people to stay home to allow them to do their job safely. Power restoration is expected to take some time.
Johnson County Courthouse Sustains Damage
The Johnson County Courthouse also sustained considerable damage, with several buildings collapsing in downtown Whiteland following the severe weather. According to officials, people were trapped as the area received significant damage.
Duke Energy reported 59 active outages in Johnson County affecting approximately 7,053 residents. Meanwhile, Johnson County REMC reported 7,942 customers without power, which is around 26% of all their customers.
The National Weather Service declared a major injury incident and sent resources to assist in the recovery effort across Indiana. Multiple agencies from Johnson, Marion, and Bartholomew counties have also lent their assistance in the effort.
Residents Seek Shelter at Whiteland High School
Whiteland Community High School opened its doors as a shelter for those seeking refuge from the storm’s aftermath. An initial sweep showed everyone accounted for, but American Red Cross was conducting a secondary sweep for added assurance.
Police have also encouraged residents who cannot reach 911 via phone to try texting for help. They advised people to call dispatch to perform a welfare check instead of physically going to check on their loved ones.
Severe Weather Warnings Issued Across Multiple States
The severe weather also affected other states. Several areas in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan saw tornado watches issued until 3 a.m on Saturday. Strong wind gusts up to 70 mph were expected in some areas.
National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center had issued warnings for much of Indiana, with many parts of the state under threat. Special marine warnings were also issued for Lake Michigan.
Damage Survey Team Deployed
A damage survey team arrived in Johnson County to determine the extent of the damage and what caused it. Severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings continue to be issued for various parts of Indiana.
Storm damage has closed State Road 252 in Morgan County, with downed power lines that make it extremely dangerous for people to come to affected areas. The police department continues to urge people to stay home and avoid the area.
The recovery process in Indiana is likely a long one, but local officials are confident that with time and the support of the community and other agencies, normalcy will be restored.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
