Sullivan mayor says 3 people are dead and searches continue after Friday night storms
The mayor of Sullivan, Clint Lamb, says three people are confirmed dead after Friday night’s deadly storms.
The mayor says the number could increase. Lamb says rescue operations are still ongoing.
“We’re still pulling people from the rubble of homes,” Lamb says.
Tens of thousands of homes in central Indiana were without power early Saturday.
Authorities in western Indiana reported severe damage including gas leaks as well as downed power lines and damaged cellular infrastructure.
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office urged residents to avoid the southern edge of the city, which suffered major damage.
“Electricity is out, many cellphones carriers are down,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a Facebook post. “There are dangerous power lines down and multiple gas leaks. Emergency responders are working the area. Stay clear of this area if you do not need to be here.”
It said a shelter was set up at the Sullivan Co. EMA building at 60 W Harris Street.
On the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page, residents reported being unable to reach loved ones in the areas that suffered severe damage.
The National Weather Service’s Indianapolis office was sending out multiple teams to investigate reports of tornadoes throughout the state.
“We have not finalized where the teams will be just yet,” an agency official said in an emailed statement early Saturday.
Earlier, the service reported 65-MPH wind gusts at Indianapolis International Airport.
Duke Energy reported Saturday that about 40,000 homes were without power in Indiana, including around 5,000 in Sullivan.
Closer to Indianapolis, the city of Whiteland took a “direct hit,” according to local police, who urged residents to stay indoors if possible.
“Preliminary reports indicating the southern part of town took a direct hit,” the department wrote on Twitter. “Power and communication are limited. If you need help and can not get out via voice, please utilize the text to 911.”
The same account added that the Whiteland High School was opening up for people to use restrooms and stay out of the weather.
Devan Ridgway and The Associated Press contributed to this report.