Johnson County suffers severe storm damage

Severe tornado damage is being reported in Indiana after last night’s storms.

Police in Whiteland said in a tweet that the southern part of the town took a direct hit on Friday and sustained significant damage. They say power lines were down and debris was blocking roadways.

Emergency officials say that a center has been set up at Whiteland High School for anyone needing shelter or assistance.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Johnson and Shelby counties, saying that a confirmed tornado was on the ground near Franklin at 11:32 p.m. Friday night. Photos were posted on social media showing a tornado on the ground in Whiteland and severe damage including to warehouses near Interstate 65.

The National Weather Service says it has received reports of heavy damage on both sides of U.S. 31 including multiple homes being destroyed.

Residents are also reported damage in Franklin including one side of the city clock tower being destroyed.

Duke Energy is reporting about 17, 000 customers without power between Bloomington and Greenwood. Another 2,000 customers are without power this morning in the Columbus/Seymour/North Vernon area.  Johnson County REMC reports more than 4,800 without power this morning, while Bartholomew County REMC has 40 customers without power as of about 6 a.m.

Indiana State Police Post in Bloomington is reporting that a severe storm  struck McCormick’s Creek State Park. Troopers assisted Owens County rescue workers and Indiana Conservation Officers  checking the park for potentially injured campers who were in various camp sites during the severe storm.  Found campers were evacuated from the campgrounds with assistance from the Spencer-Owen County School Corporation, who supplied a bus to help with the transport.

Lawrence and Monroe counties reported downed trees while Morgan County reported downed trees and power lines which included loss of power in Martinsville. High winds also caused severe damage to buildings in Martinsville.

The National Weather Service reports that several teams will be going out today to survey storm damage and will have updated details later today.

Earlier in the day, a deadly tornado killed three people in Arkansas.

TTWN Media Networks contributed to this report.