Power outages peak at 103,000 in Indiana; Monroe County declares disaster
(WISH) — Power outages peaked at nearly 103,000 Hoosier customers Tuesday after storms moved through Indiana, and at least one Indiana county issued a disaster declaration.
The National Weather Service issues storm warnings for parts of Indiana between Evansville and Indianapolis on Tuesday afternoon. The areas were the largest amount of power outages where in the counties in eastern Indiana between those two cities.
Storm Track 8 Chief Meteorologist Ashley Brown says a gust of 78 mph was reported at 4:12 p.m. Tuesday in Bloomington.
No injuries have been reported.
Monroe County Emergency Management Agency tells News 8 that trees are downed on homes in Bloomington. People in Bloomington reported being unable to travel many streets in the city that’s home to Indiana University.
Monroe and Owen counties on Tuesday night initiated travel advisories, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security reports. Routine travel or activities may be restricted in areas, and people are asked to use caution in those areas or avoid them.
The Monroe County commissioners also issued a disaster declaration. Anyone in need of shelter due to a home being damaged was asked to contact the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency at justinbaker@co.monroe.in.us or 812-349-2546.
Avon Police Department reported Raceway Road on the Indianapolis border was closed at 5:14 p.m. Tuesday from Jackson Street to Westdrum Count. A tree fell across the roadway and struck a vehicle, police say. The Avon police later said the road had reopened.
Martin County reported Spout Springs Road from the town of Shoals to State Road 550 was closed for downed trees and utility lines.
Tree damage also was reported in and near Terre Haute, and in Knox County.
Power outages across Indiana topped out at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at 102,995, according to PowerOutage.us. That total had dropped to about 82,452 about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday.
The outage count about 5:40 a.m. from major electricity providers in Indiana:
- Duke Energy: 54,828, including 42,000 in the Bloomington area.
- AES Indiana: 447.
- Indiana Michigan Power: 11.
- Check the latest forecast from the Storm Track 8 weather blog
- Send your storm damage photos to WISHWeatherpics@wishtv.com. Be sure to share where the storm damage happened.