At least one “large and extremely dangerous” tornado struck near Indianapolis, the state’s capital and largest city, as severe thunderstorms rolled through the region in the late afternoon, the National Weather Service said. One that hit Kokomo has been determined to be an EF3 with 165 miles per hour winds. Between 300 and 800 people were displaced in Howard County, and a neighborhood in the county seat of Kokomo sustained the most damage; the façade of a coffee shop collapsed, but all inside evacuated safely.
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Bursten says those injured included a 5-month-old child who suffered a laceration in Montgomery County.
Gov. Mike Pence, Republican vice presidential candidate, left the campaign trail in North Carolina to return to Indiana. At least two tornadoes struck cities in central in on Wednesday, tearing the roof off apartment buildings, sending air conditioners falling onto parked cars and cutting power to thousands of people.
The Indiana Red Cross regional headquarters in Indianapolis has a team of employees and volunteers working at an operations center.
But there have not been any injuries there, he said.
Eight reported tornadoes – including one confirmed to be an EF3 – touched down in the city of Kokomo, Ind., prompted officials to declare a state of emergency for Howard County.
Trees in the city fell, Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight said, and 24,000 people were without electrical power.
Cars were smashed, houses were decimated and power lines were down as multiple tornados ripped through surrounding areas in Howard County.
Howard County issued a state of emergency to remain in effect until 9 p.m. EDT (0100 GMT Thursday).
Utility companies reported more than 39,000 customers were without power Wednesday evening. Multiple tornadoes touched down in central in on Wednesday, tearing the roofs off apartment buildings, sending air conditioners falling onto parked cars and cutting power to thousands of people.
At the Park Place Apartments in Kokomo, maintenance technician Mitchell Carlson described the scene as “a madhouse”.
He says the complex has 16 buildings, and “probably eight of them don’t have a roof”. Falling tree limbs and air conditioners damaged 20 to 30 cars, he said.
Indiana University Kokomo has canceled all campus events due to the severe weather.
Authorities say thousands of homes and businesses are without power in central in after at least two tornadoes moved through the region.
The governor also said he had a “grateful heart” that there were no reports of deaths or serious injuries. Other affected structures were a shopping mall and a nursing home located in Howard County. “We’re just asking people to sit tight, especially if there’s a tornado warning in their area, so they can stay as safe as possible”.
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The short video, which seems to be shot from a bar, shows heavy winds and rain pouring down on the city of Kokomo.
