One team was assessing damage in the Woodburn area of northeast Allen County and into northwest OH, while another team went to Adams and southern Wells County, said Nathan Marsili, weather specialist with the National Weather Service’s Northern Indiana office outside Syracuse.
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The NWS on Thursday issued preliminary storm ratings on four tornados.
Donald Trump’s vice presidential candidate will tour Kokomo, about 40 miles north Indianapolis, and other areas in Howard and Montgomery counties, where most of the damage was concentrated. “We are now monitoring roughly 10-15 minor injuries in Howard county and we’re in the assessment process in Montgomery county”.
In nearby Wells County, grain wagons were reportedly thrown 500 feet into the air, and strong winds destroyed barns and mobile homes in western OH, the National Weather Service reported.
“The analogy I would use is when you see an Olympic skater pull in her arms, they spin faster”, Kwiatkowski says.
He said there were 30 reports of tornadoes between 3:30 and 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. “That was a smart move”, he said, adding shoppers waited out at the nearby Krogers supermarket, the storms in coolers at the back of the store.
“This is one of the most resilient, tough towns you will ever find”, said Donnelly, detailing Kokomo’s past with turbulent weather. The Indiana Department of Transportation is also offering a supporting role, the mayor said, as well as street crews from surrounding communities. Tornado season typically runs from April to July.
Nine different counties reported funnel clouds and tornado touchdowns.
Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight said the damage likely displaced between 300 to 700 people from their homes.
Yesterday, tornadoes tore through central IN and affected many people, especially IN Kokomo, where a Starbucks was destroyed and damage to houses and structures was also reported. “Our houses and our material things can be replaced”, she said.
“I know as an organization, Mr. (Jim) Irsay and everybody else are going to do their part and lend a hand so to speak and try to help those people recover as much as we can”, Pagano said. Thunderstorms continued to blow up as property owners went outside to assess the damage. He was recognized for his efforts with the United Way of Howard County New-Initiative Volunteer of the Year award.
Before the first tornado struck Wednesday, thousands of people received telephone calls or text messages.
“It looks like a war zone”, said Joe Gardner, whose home was destroyed.
“In 2013 some of the same areas were impacted”, Slusher says. “This is the second time for some”.
Hundreds of homes and business are damaged some of them completely collapsed. “Kennel got destroyed. Dog’s OK”, he said. “I’ve never been through it before. Now that it’s hitting home I understand how it could affect families”.
“You ain’t got time to break down”.
“Things can be replaced as far as homes, a vehicle, and belongings, they can be replaced, but a human life can never be replaced”, said Betty Zehring, who was staying in the Kokomo shelter.
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His brother’s route to work takes him in front of Markland Mall – where a Starbucks in the parking lot was flattened by the storm.
