Tornado Touches Down in Nappanee; State of Emergency Declared

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Tornado Touches Down in Nappanee; State of Emergency Declared

Storm damage on U.S. 6 in Nappanee, October 19, 2007. (Photo courtesy: Mark Steiner)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 19, 2007 at 7:48 AM EST

Story Updated: Oct 24, 2007 at 7:09 PM EST

(WSBT/SBT24/7News) Nappanee Police Chief Mike Anglin reports a tornado was spotted Thursday night near Indiana 19 and County Road 1350 North.

It touched down and caused extensive damage and injuries. Anglin said injuries are minor at this time, but did include several people who were trapped in their homes when the tornado hit. Injured individuals were taken to area hospitals. At this time there are no fatalities, Anglin said.

Mayor Larry Thompson and city commissioners issued a tornado emergency. People are being asked to stay off the streets. Businesses are being asked to remain closed, as the town is without power.

A boil water order is in place until further notice.

According to a press release issued Friday morning, U.S. 6 from S.R. 15 to S.R. 19 is closed due to "downed power lines and massive amounts of debris." State Road 19 is also closed from C.R. 46 to 1350 North in Kosciusko County.

As of approximately 9 a.m., NIPSCO estimates that more than 4,000 homes are still without power and 1,000 homes have recently been restored. According to the Nappanee Police Department, it may be several days before all power is restored.

Anglin believes all of the city’s residents are accounted for.

“We’re getting ready to start an extensive search," he said.

The search would begin while additional manpower was still available. Emergency responders are coming from Wakarusa, northwest Elkhart City and Elkhart County, Bremen and Plymouth.

“We basically pretty much shut down Nappanee," Anglin said.

NIPSCO is on the scene, and there are several gas leaks across the city which are being monitored at this time.

Anglin said he believed that lives were spared because the city was prepared.

“We ran drills, and had set up plans. We had shelters open before the storms even hit," he said. "I think by us sounding sirens as soon as we did we had a jump on the tornado."

Nappanee Missionary Church, 70417 State Road 19, is the location designated for family and friends seeking shelter.

Anyone in need of assistance should call the American Red Cross at (574) 293-6519 or the Hope Crisis Response Network at (866) 909-4673. In case of emergency call 911.

Indiana State Police are expected to provide additional information at a press conference at 11 a.m.

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