PENDLETON, Ind. — Over a thousand residents in Pendleton are still without power this morning after a possible tornado blew through the Madison County town Monday evening.

The National Weather Service has yet to officially confirm it, but several videos have popped up on social media of a tornado causing significant damage to homes in the area.

“At about 8:30, the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Warning for Madison County, a funnel cloud was spotted,” said Madison County EMA spokesman Todd Harmeson. “At around 8:20 we started getting 911 calls related to power outages.”

The storms moved through causing significant damage. Over 70 homes are said to be either damaged or destroyed.

“There was a delay in getting emergency personnel around the city because after the storm went through most all of the roads were blocked with trees, power lines, utility poles, things like that,” Harmeson added.

Harmeson said one person was injured because of the storms and was taken to nearby hospital.

Funnel clouds and tornadoes were reported in several other counties, including Hamilton, Miami, Grant, St. Joseph, and Fulton Counties.

The National Weather Service has confirmed tornadoes did touch down near Akron in Fulton County and in Dyer in Lake County.

Indiana State Police say that due to damage from the storm all traffic into Pendleton has been suspended until crews can clear debris from streets and power can be restored. At I-69 exit 219, east bound SR 38 is closed until further notice. On the east side of Pendleton, US 36 west bound traffic is open to SR 67, which also remains open. However, motorists are being asked to avoid the Pendleton area.

The Red Cross has set up at Pendleton Heights High School to aid residents.

There have been no reported fatalities.

 

tornado photo courtesy ISP Sgt Tomny Slocumb in Grant County