The National Weather Service is expected to send a tornado survey team to the Wakarusa area to determine whether a possible twister on Monday, Aug. 10, casused damage in the area.
Grain bins were destroyed and tossed by the winds southwest of Wakarusa, and there are reports of roofs damaged and missing.
Several miles of damage through the area reported, including anumber of trees ripped down or snapped off.
Power outages reported throughout the region. After the stormfront passed, more than 45,000 Indiana Michigan Power customers were left in the dark.
Follow Indiana Michigan Power outages here
The National Weather Service reported a 6 foot wave height off Michigan City and a 50 mph wind gust in Benton Harbor.
The City of Nappanee reported large tree limbs down from US 6 to the ditch, and Locke Street to Oakland Avenue.
Before the winds arrived late on Monday, crews were cleaning up storm damage from the early morning hours.
Officials said the hardest hit area was west of U.S. 31, including a number of trees that were damaged and knocked down, including one that struck a power line at Brick Road.
The following information was provided by Indiana Michigan Power:
Heavy winds stormed across portions of the Midwest on Monday evening, causing significant damage and disrupting power to tens of thousands of people.
Indiana Michigan Power customers were not spared, as the winds caused more than 40,000 customers across I&M’s service territory to lose power. More than 20,000 customers in each of the two states I&M serves were impacted.
Storms continue into the night, and additional outages are possible.
Before the storms hit, I&M was developing plans for a major storm restoration, based on
weather forecasts. I&M has already begun marshalling both internal and external resources to address the storm damage. I&M will execute a methodical plan to safely restore all customers as soon as possible.
I&M will provide updates throughout the day Tuesday.
I&M asks that the public please be aware of some potential hazards:
• Downed power lines. Stay away from any downed wires and report them to I&M. You
can call us at 800-311-4634, report on our app or website, or call 911.
• Trees could fall or drop limbs at any moment, please look up.
• Standing water could hide debris or even downed wires.
• Roads will likely be wet, slick and covered with debris.
• Traffic lights may not be functioning. Please use caution and be mindful of first
responders and utility workers on the roadways.
I&M encourages customers to use the Indiana Michigan Power app to monitor the status of any outage affecting your home or business. IndianaMichiganPower.com/App
@ABC57News @TomCoomes Damage from possible tornado SW of Wakarusa @NWSIWX #inwx pic.twitter.com/eoHO23t0Yv
— Dave Caulfield (@DaveCaulfield_) August 11, 2020
Extensive damage off of County Road 44 SW of Wakarusa-power lines down, tree limbs everywhere and structural damage—including destroyed grain bins @TomCoomes @NWSIWX @ABC57News #inwx pic.twitter.com/dlf3mNuBY3
— Dave Caulfield (@DaveCaulfield_) August 11, 2020
Tornado sirens in Elkhart, Indiana. #INWX #SevereWX pic.twitter.com/4kcJEWA8K3
— Tiffany Salameh TV (@tiffanysalameh) August 10, 2020
Current look of the clouds at Central Park in Mishawaka. Winds are picking up pic.twitter.com/zKE4U59Ng3
— Jonathan Bailey ABC57 (@Abc57Bailey) August 10, 2020
