August 2016 Severe Storms Update

Last updated on Thursday, August 25, 2016

(UNDATED) - As of now, 18 people working in the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC.) The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Indiana State Police (ISP), Red Cross, the Department of Correction (DOC), the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), the National Guard, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) are among the agencies represented.

IDHS is currently providing staffing for planning, information technology support, public information, logistics, and resource management.

IDHS deployed staff last night and has staff visiting affected counties and touching base with county emergency management agencies (EMAs) today.

Major Highlights

At 2:40 p.m. on August 24, 2016, warnings began for severe weather traversing the state west to east.
Total of 29 counties reported with tornado warnings on Aug. 24. In some counties, multiple tornado warnings were issued during the day.
A total of 44 tornado warnings were issued Aug. 24, as well as four tornado watches.
There were eight confirmed tornados that swept through Indiana in the mid-late afternoon/evening hours. Touchdowns were reported in Howard, Grant, Wells, Allen, Adams, Miami and Montgomery Counties. An EF-3 tornado touched down in Kokomo.
Montgomery County was the first report of damage on a farm.
In Howard County, people reportedly took shelter while in a Starbucks and McDonald's and stayed safe.

State of Emergency

There are no current State of Emergency declarations. Howard County declared a State of Emergency until 2100 hours Wednesday, August 24, 2016.

Allen County

IDHS District 3 Coordinator reported eight homes have been reported as damaged, five homes have been reported as destroyed. Two barns were destroyed, and one was damaged.

Carroll County

Carroll County EMA Director reported minor damage to at least three homes and multiple farm buildings.

Howard County

There are reports of 20 destroyed homes and 18 showed major damage in the Cedar Crest addition near the Markland Mall in Kokomo.

Howard Haven Residential Center sustained damage with minor injuries to some residents.

The Starbucks near the Markland Mall was destroyed.

Montgomery County

Up to 30 homes were damaged or destroyed and multiple barns were destroyed. 4 silos were destroyed and a silo fell across power lines near CR 550E.

Power Outages

18,489 outages statewide
15,524 in Howard County
1,121 in Tipton County
309 in Montgomery County

Shelter/Warming Center(s)

Red Cross Shelter - New shelter established at Kokomo Event Center, 1500 N. Reed Rd, Kokomo. Reports indicate 220 people are at the shelter. Citizens were relocated to this shelter from the original shelter located at the UAW hall after backup power could not be secured.

Red Cross Shelter - A shelter was established at Walnut Elementary School, 3548 S 775 E, New Ross in Montgomery County. There are currently no people at this shelter, though it will stay open throughout the day.
United Way will be managing donations in the Kokomo area.

Transportation

Highway 931 and Highway 26 through Kokomo are closed due to debris in the road.

CR 550E is closed in Montgomery County due to a collapsed silo blocking the road. The silo is reported to have brought down a power distribution line. Crews are working to de-energize and move the lines.

Public Health and Medical Services

Reports of 11 minor injuries in Howard County.

Howard County is keeping an eye on issuing a boil water advisory, if it becomes necessary.

Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo is without power, but reporting no damage; currently operating on generator power and was accepting a resupply of fuel at 0800 hours.

Search and Rescue

Cicero Township Fire deployed Search and Rescue teams to the temporary Incident Command Post.

Public Safety and Security

Approximately 50 ISP troopers were in Howard County overnight. A relief of 40 troopers arrived this morning for the day shift. Approximately 40 temporary stop signs have been requested this morning to relieve congestion during rush hour.

No additional troops have been requested at this time.

Debris Management

Department of Correction is sending work crews to Kokomo. Two 10-man teams will be deployed for debris management and woodchipping.

Volunteering Information

Those who wish to assist with recovery efforts in Howard County can call the county's 211 hotline or 765-868-4133 for more information. Those who wish to make donations can do so through the Howard County United Way, located at 210 West Walnut, Kokomo, IN. Any other donations should go through reputable organizations.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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