Madison, Indiana – Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms ravaged parts of East Central Indiana and Kentucky on Thursday night, leaving a wide path of destruction in their wake. The storms flattened homes, caused injuries, and extensive damage in Delaware and Randolph counties. In Winchester, an EF-3 tornado confirmed by the National Weather Service caused widespread destruction. Survey teams from NWS investigated the storm damage, confirming the tornado touchdown in the area.
The storms also impacted Madison, Indiana, where officials reported at least two tornadoes hitting outside the city, causing significant damage. As of Friday morning, Indiana officials confirmed no deaths in the state due to the storms, dispelling earlier reports of fatalities in Winchester. In Ohio, three fatalities were reported as a result of the severe weather.
In Winchester, at least 38 people were injured, with three possibly critically, according to Mayor Bob McCoy. Thankfully, there were no reported deaths in the area despite the extent of the damage. Indiana Task Force 1 was deployed to assist with search and rescue efforts in the affected areas, with more resources expected to arrive to aid in recovery efforts.
The Red Cross promptly set up emergency shelters at Winchester High School in Randolph County and a reunification center at Wapahani High School in Selma to assist residents displaced by the storm. Residents are urged to contact Indiana 211 to report severe storm damage in Randolph and Jefferson counties to aid in damage estimates.
Rural areas in Randolph and Delaware Counties were hit hardest by the storms, with reports of at least 22 homes destroyed and damage to over 100 structures. Winchester, a town of about 5,000 people, saw extensive damage to nearly half of its structures. Financial donations for relief efforts in Winchester are being managed by the Community Foundation of Randolph County and Second Harvest Food Bank. Residents are advised to avoid the affected areas due to safety risks posed by downed power lines, trees, and debris.
The storms have left a trail of destruction in Winchester, with a nursing home being evacuated, a Taco Bell restaurant obliterated, and significant structural damage reported in Jefferson County. Schools in the Randolph Central and Liberty-Perry School Districts remained closed on Friday. The damage caused by the storms underscores the importance of preparedness and community support in the face of natural disasters like tornadoes.