Tragedy struck southern Indiana on June 25 as severe storms ravaged parts of the South and the Ohio River Valley, leaving at least one person dead and several with no power, New York Times reports. The powerful storms caused widespread power outages, affecting hundreds of thousands of customers in the region.
Officials in Martin County confirmed that one person was found dead and another injured, while rescue teams continued to search for victims. Although meteorologists have yet to confirm the occurrence of a tornado, local authorities suspect it to be the cause of the devastation. Monty Wolf, the director of the county's emergency response team, described the situation as chaotic, with trees blocking roads and extensive damage in the middle of the woods.
In Johnson County, near the town of New Whiteland, meteorologist Chad Swain from the National Weather Service in Indianapolis stated that at least one tornado was likely. Additional possible tornadoes were reported in Martin County and Monroe County, where multiple homes suffered severe damage.
In northern Indiana, Porter County officials reported an unplanned flaring of gasses at a local BP refinery due to the severe weather. However, they assured the public that the situation was under control, and there was no immediate danger to the community.
On June 26, poweroutage.us, a website that compiles utility data, indicated that fewer than 10,000 customers in Indiana were without electricity. Meanwhile, in Arkansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee, where the storms also wreaked havoc, over 300,000 customers remained without power.
Social media clips circulated showing a tornado tearing through the city of Greenwood, Ind., tossing debris into the air. The extent of the damage was still being assessed by city officials in Greenwood, which has a population of approximately 65,000. The police department dispatcher declined to provide information about potential injuries or fatalities resulting from the storm.
The Greenwood Fire Department issued a Facebook statement urging people to avoid affected areas and exercise caution while driving. They also advised residents to plan alternate routes due to tornado damage in various parts of Johnson County.
“Please stay clear of areas affected by this evening’s weather as many areas around Johnson County have tornado damage,” the post read.
Cole Basey, a high school student from Greenwood, shared his experience of seeking refuge in a friend's basement as the tornado approached. Upon emerging, they discovered downed trees and a nearby home flattened. Basey described the scene as an unsettling sight that left them shaken.
“I’d never seen anything like that. So it kind of freaked us out,” Basey stated.
Approximately seven miles southwest in Bargersville, a town news conference revealed that around 75 homes suffered damage along a three to four-mile stretch caused by a tornado. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, power lines were down, and officials were conducting a secondary search of the affected areas.
The Red Cross announced its collaboration with local authorities to assess the needs of the affected communities. This assessment will help determine the required support, such as shelter, food and water, healthcare, and mental health assistance. Stephanie Fox, a spokesperson for the organization, stated that the situation was rapidly evolving.
Meteorologist Chad Swain explained that the thunderstorms were fueled by hot and humid air ahead of a cold front. While scientists have not definitively linked tornado frequency or strength to climate change, they have observed an increase in tornado clusters in recent years. Additionally, Tornado Alley, traditionally known for tornado activity, appears to be shifting eastward. The timing of tornado seasons has also become more unpredictable, with earlier and later starts compared to previous decades, although the exact cause of these changes remains unclear.
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