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June 2, 2004

Hoosiers assess damages from Sunday storms and begin recovery efforts

By Daniel R. Gangler, director of communication
Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church

INDIANAPOLIS -- Clean-up continues across Indiana from damage left by Sunday storms, as Hoosier move from the rescue to the recovery phase of this disaster.

The National Weather Service now estimates 17 twisters hit the state Sunday. The single-day record, set in 1990, is 37.

According to Federal Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Susan Jenson, 1,327 homes in 13 counties were affected of which 85 homes were destroyed and 267 sustained major damages.

In Marion County more than 460 homes were affected in some way by the storms. Of those 24 were destroyed and 59 received major damage.

Indianapolis city officials nearly doubled their damage estimate from this week's tornadoes to more than $19 million as federal emergency teams began touring the state to survey the damage Tuesday. Utility workers, meanwhile, restored power to more residences, reducing the number of customers without electricity to about 780.

The Rev. Douglas L. Walker, pastor of Rosedale Hills UMC in Indianapolis and South Indiana United Methodist Conference Disaster Response coordinator, recommended that Indiana Area Bishop Woodie W. White request a $10,000 initial emergency grant from the United Methodist Committee on Relief to aid some of these families. White sent the request to UMCOR yesterday.

In Peru, Ind. 80 miles north of Indianapolis, one person suffered minor injuries, but homes, mobile homes, businesses and apartments were destroyed or suffered severe damage in the north end of the city following a severe storm Sunday evening. No tornado was confirmed by the National Weather Service. In Miami County, a total of 41 homes were destroyed, 39 with major damages, 49 with minor damages, and 23 others were affected.

According to the Rev. Steven Ailes, pastor of Peru's Main Street United Methodist Church, two families of his congregation lost their homes in the storm and one member had extensive damage to his business. Other members' businesses also were affected by the storm.

In Jackson County 70 miles south of Indianapolis, the Rev. Alice Crawford, pastor of the Crothersville/Cana United Methodist charge reported that many families, including one from her congregation, were displaced from their homes by damages. One local business burned due to electric sparks that occurred when the power returned. That area experienced no deaths or injuries. Crawford said the American Red Cross is assisting with relief efforts.

Other counties suffering damages include: Tippecanoe, Clark, Crawford, Washington, Floyd, Green, Orange, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Owen, and Monroe counties. The hardest hit rural town was Marengo in Crawford County (30 miles west of Louisville, Ky.) where 27 of the town's 400 homes were destroyed and more than 100 homes were damaged. One man was killed in Marengo, the state's only death due to the storms.

Walker said during the relief phase that food, clothing and shelter needs would be provided to storm survivors.

He anticipated the third or recovery phase, when started, would take at least nine months or more to complete. This would include the work of volunteer crews assisting homeowners rebuild and repair their houses. "During the recovery phase we will also be looking for people who have fallen through the cracks in order to assist them," Walker said.

In the meantime, he said United Methodist wishing to help in funding relief and recovery efforts, can send their contributions in South Indiana to the South Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, 1520 Liberty Dr., Bloomington, IN 47403. Conference Treasurer Brent Wilson ask those giving to mark their contributions "Indiana Disaster Relief."

In North Indiana, storm recovery contributions can be sent to the North Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 869, Marion, IN 46952. Conference Treasurer Brent Williams asks those who are giving to mark their contributions "Spring 2004 Tornado Relief."

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