The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch Wednesday evening for a large swath of central IN, including the Indianapolis area, where there were reports that a second tornado had touched down.
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Mike Pence was off the campaign trail on Thursday touring the damage in Kokomo.
The Indianapolis Colts, meanwhile, are providing tickets and concession vouchers to Saturday’s preseason game with the Philadelphia Eagles to the Kokomo football team, including family members and coaches.
State police said Friday that about 1,000 total homes were damaged in Wednesday’s storm, with about 170 of those sustaining major damage.
Miraculously, state police said late Wednesday that no serious injures had been reported even as tens of thousands of residents had no power.
A wave of severe storms produced at least a dozen tornadoes in IN and OH, damaging homes and businesses but causing no serious injuries, authorities said Thursday, as crews worked to restore power and remove fallen trees.
Local officials say the Park Place Apartments has been ordered vacated after most of the 16-building complex was damaged or destroyed.
Two other tornadoes were confirmed in Howard County, including an EF-0 near Indian Heights in the southern part of the county.
Indiana Homeland Security and IMPD spotted the tornado originally at 21st Street and Ritter Avenue around 4:15 p.m.
A toppled Starbucks in Kokomo was among the buildings hit Wednesday. “We are relieved to report all partners (employees) and customers from the Starbucks store at U.S. 35 & SR 22 are safe.We will continue to support our store partners and local authorities in any way we can”.
Indiana University Kokomo canceled all Wednesday evening events on campus because of the severe weather.
Tree branches rest on top of a vehicle after a tornado struck in Kokomo, Ind., Wednesday.
A tornado is seen here in Komoko, Indiana, Aug. 24, 2016.
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That increases to 10 the number of tornadoes for the state.
