April 22, 1996

County copes as cleanup begins

       The work continues for residents in weather-torn White River Township, after surviving Friday night’s ferocious thunder and wind storm.  The Johnson County Chapter of the American Red Cross reported a total of three houses and one mobile home completely destroyed in what the National Weather Service called a “down burst” or “straight-line winds” — not a tornado.  Winds reaching more than 100 mph roared through the northwestern part of the county — from State Road 37 down Smith Valley Road — bending steel, uprooting trees and stealing roofs and walls from homes and businesses.  Twelve homes and three mobile homes were severely damaged and deemed uninhabitable, according to Red Cross Executive Director Patricia Vehorn. Fifty-three mobile homes and 15 houses suffered minor damage but were still sound enough to live in. Many homes lost windows and skylights from hail ranging in sizes from a golf ball to a tennis ball.  Only minor injuries were reported. Only one family didn’t have insurance, according to the Red Cross.  “We are very fortunate here, though,” Vehorn said.  Due to luck and modern warning systems, residents were able to take cover in basements, closets and bathrooms as their homes were battered. Some residents made the move seconds before their houses were hit.  Residents reported seeing at least two twisters, but National Weather Service Meteorologist Sam Lashley believes a different type of storm caused the majority of damage: a down burst. That’s a powerful thunderstorm that bottoms out toward the ground at speeds of 130 to 150 mph. When winds hit the ground, they spread out, similar to the effect of a raindrop hitting a puddle of water. A number of businesses also took the brunt of the storm, including Indy RV on State Road 37, Domino’s Pizza on Smith Valley Road, and a strip mall east of Domino’s.  For people like Dan McDaniel, owner of Circle South Imprints and Creative Trophy on West Smith Valley Road, Friday’s storm means the loss of his livelihood. About 20 minutes after he closed and went home to Bargersville, his shop’s roof was torn off and its contents mixed and mashed. He worked Saturday and Sunday to salvage what he could.  “We lost all kinds of stuff,” McDaniel said Sunday while loading a truck with remaining merchandise. “That’s the problem. We don’t know what we did lose.  “I can’t say I’m mad, because I don’t think that’s it. No matter what else, the fact that everyone got out without getting hurt is important.”  It’s also amazing to those who’ve seen the damage.  Smith Valley Baptist Church’s roof was destroyed. Members attended services Sunday at the United Methodist Church down the road, because the building is not yet deemed safe by inspectors.  Center Grove schools also took a hit.  West Grove Elementary School on Smith Valley Road lost its roof over the library area and art room.  Windows were knocked out on the building’s west side. Two modular classrooms were dented by the sizable hail. Yet, the school is ready this morning for class as usual.  “We’ve had a roofing crew out there all day (Sunday and Sunday night),” said Superintendent Denney French. Administrators hustled Saturday morning to get insurance agents out and clean-up under way. Damage costs weren’t tallied Sunday night.  “They’re tearing up the carpeting because glass is broken and we and the insurance company believe it will be safer,” French said. “All the maintenance people, teachers, parents even students came in to help.” Sugar Grove Elementary School, under construction on Berry Road just off Smith Valley Road, also sustained damage to construction trailers and playground equipment. About 3,900 county PSI Energy customers lost power Friday night, but most regained power Saturday.  By Sunday night, only 10 to 15 homes were left without power, company officials said.  But those residents needed to fix electrical outlets on their homes before PSI could reconnect energy lines.  A total of 28,000 state PSI customers lost power from that storm.  The National Weather Service’s Lashley said the good news about Friday’s storm was that it could be detected and followed before it entered populated areas.  “We were putting out warnings 15 to 30 minutes ahead of the storm,” Lashley said.  “There were a lot of reports coming in from spotters.  People took heed of the warnings and lives were saved.”  See a related story and photos HERE. (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

     

     
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