Wayne County first responders and philanthropic residents and business owners quickly began seeking ways to help those in Randolph County feeling the impact of Thursday night’s tornado damage.
A National Weather Service survey team classified the tornado as having a damage rating of EF3. Wind speeds were estimated at 165 mph.
On Sunday, Randolph County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) shared the path length was 25.03 miles, with the largest path 700 yards wide in places.
According to the EOC, 47 structures were destroyed; 56 had major damage; 60 had minor damage; and 13 other structures were affected.
First responders
Emergency service crews worked all night Thursday in the damaged areas of the Winchester area. Randolph County Homeland Security Emergency Management asked the public to avoid Winchester so crews could work without dealing with traffic.
HSEM and Randolph County Sheriff’s Department said that 38 people were injured, with 12 transported to neighboring hospitals.
Contrary to some initial reports, Randolph County did not discover any fatalities. Indiana Urban Search and Rescue Team (Task Force 1) went door to door in the affected areas to search homes. Task Force 1 announced it had completed its mission on Sunday morning.
Centerville Fire/Rescue, Reid Health, and Richmond police and fire departments were among those sending emergency workers shortly after the initial tornado touchdown. Centerville’s volunteers returned home around 5 a.m. Friday.
By Friday morning, the Richmond Police and Fire Drone Team had been mobilized and was in the air in Winchester. The team worked in collaboration with Indiana Department of Homeland Security to document storm damage and the tornado’s tracks, according to Adam Blanton, Richmond Police Department’s assistant chief.
American Red Cross asked for volunteers to meet Saturday morning at Winchester Community High School.
The EOC reported Sunday that more than 575 volunteers had checked in since the tornado occurred.
Ann Snider of Richmond said more than 200 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the 10 wards in the Muncie stake, volunteered either on Saturday at Selma and/or on Sunday at Winchester.
On Monday morning, Randolph County Sheriff’s Department announced Indiana 32 west of Winchester had reopened but motorists might face delays while work continues.
Philanthropy and services
Community Foundation of Randolph County has begun accepting donations for disaster relief efforts.
All donations should be designated for the Randolph County Relief Fund. Those gifts will be distributed to local not-for-profit organizations and other charitable entities engaged in post-storm relief efforts. The foundation won’t make grants to individuals or businesses.
Donations can be mailed or delivered to the Community Foundation of Randolph County, 120 W. Washington St., Winchester, IN 47394, or submitted online at randolphcountyfoundation.org.
American Red Cross opened a shelter at Winchester Community High School, where seven people stayed, the EOC noted. Meridian Health Services sent a crisis response team of counselors to the school for anyone who needs to talk.
Makeshift pantries to distribute essentials opened at WCHS and Union City Jr./Sr. High School for residents in need. Insurance disaster response teams were also stationed at WCHS to meet with residents to process claims.
The donation center was moving Monday night from WCHS to Indiana Moose Lodge, 181 N. Middle School Road, and volunteers were to begin reporting Tuesday to Winchester Fieldhouse at East South and Brown streets.
City of Winchester officials said that unless donors had spoken directly to a facility and knew that organization could handle donated items, donors should hold off until there’s a better idea of where items could be collected and what is needed.
Here are just a few examples of the ways Wayne County residents and businesses stepped up Friday:
- Richmond restaurants including Smiley’s Pub and Downtown Deli and Catering Co. donated lunch Friday to RPD and RFD helpers.
- Blue Buffalo donated pallets of pet food to Winchester’s animal shelter.
- Gateway Hunger Relief, in collaboration with Toyota Cronin Richmond, sent a full pallet of water and other items.
- A. Morgan Construction at 5064 W. U.S. 40 in Centerville is serving as a temporary collection point for cleaning supplies, hygiene items, water, shoes, baby items and formula, blankets, and canned foods. Its hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. No more clothing is needed.
Electricity
About 5,000 Randolph County customers lost electricity. By about 4:30 a.m. Friday, officials said 4,756 customers had no power, and by 9:30 a.m. Friday, that dipped slightly to 4,285.
More than 125 utility poles were damaged as well as a wind turbine.
By 2:30 p.m. Friday, Whitewater Valley Rural Electric Membership Corp. said it had less than 50 customers without power.
REMC officials noted about 40 poles still needed to be replaced, including some complicated three-phase poles. Four additional crews had joined WWVREMC workers to help restore power.
As of Sunday, Randolph County EOC said 10 customers were without power.
A version of this article appeared in the March 20 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.