Last Updated on August 26, 2016 by cassnetwork
August 2016 Severe Storms Updated as of 4:30 p.m 8/25
SOURCE: Indiana Department of Homeland Security
UPDATES
– Power has been restored at Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo and at the drinking water plant.
– More traffic signals in Kokomo are now working due to power being restored. Four-way traffic stops are still being used at five intersections.
– At last report, Duke Energy was still in Kokomo and surrounding area restoring power.
As of now, 10 people working in the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC.) The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), Red Cross, the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC), the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) are among the agencies represented. IDHS is currently providing staffing for planning, 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.
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
Eight homes have been reported as damaged, five homes have been reported as destroyed. Two barns were destroyed, and one was damaged.
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
– 13,480 outages statewide
– 13,370 in Howard County
– 80 in Montgomery County
Shelter/Warming Center(s)
Howard County has one temporary pet shelter in place at the Kokomo Event Center, located at 1500 N. Reed Rd, with another shelter on the way from the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH). The Kokomo Humane Society is staffing and organizing volunteers to help with the BOAH shelter.
Red Cross shelter at the Kokomo Event Center anticipates housing more individuals than last night. 220 were in the shelter last night. Uninhabitable apartment complexes and homes may make disaster housing an issue.
The Red Cross shelter at Walnut Elementary School is also open.
Transportation
There are no longer road closures. Temporary stop signs are being used to manage traffic.
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.
Power has been restored to the Community Howard Regional Health in Kokomo.
Search and Rescue
Cicero Township Fire deployed Search and Rescue teams to the temporary Incident Command Post in Kokomo.
Public Safety and Security
40 ISP troopers continue to patrol affected areas.
Debris Management
Indiana Department of Correction is sending work crews to Kokomo. Two 10-man teams as well as a mini excavator and other equipment have been deployed for debris management and wood chipping.
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, or visit UnitedWayhoco.org. If requested, any material can be donated by contacting the donations management personnel at 317-750-9276. Any other donations should go through reputable organizations.
United Way is managing donations in the Kokomo area.