A tornado warning was also issued briefly for Starke and northwest Pulaski counties, as indicated by weather service radar. On Monday afternoon, weather service investigators confirmed a strong EF 1 tornado that traveled three miles from Starke into Marshall counties.
Hurricane-force winds were reported in parts of the area. Wind gusts topped out at 81 mph in Valparaiso, and 71 mph in Remington. The storms registered 70-plus mph winds as they entered Indiana about 4:30 p.m. (ET), according to news reports.
The two reported deaths were a truck driver who died when his semi was blown over in Valparaiso, and an Amish man in Millersburg who was fatally injured when his buggy was knocked over.
Pulaski County EMA reported that the Francesville area was hit hardest with two or three businesses damaged along CR 1450 W, north of town. There were also a few houses with shingles blown off, a shed destroyed and a house damaged by a tree falling on it. There was also storm damage in Medaryville and at the Tippecanoe River State Park.
There were additional social media reports of tipped-over, parked grain trucks in various locations around the county.
In Pulaski County, emergency workers were largely kept busy through Monday with downed power lines along roadways, in addition to fallen trees blocking roads.
Immediately following the storm, the Francesville Volunteer Fire Department reported these road closures:
- US 421 - north of Francesville
- CR 550 S - east of the cemetery
- CR 1450 W - north of town park
- CR 300 S - east and west of US 421
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department reported these road closures during storm clean-up:
- SR 14 between CR 1100 W and CR 1200 W
- SR 39 between CR 500 N and CR 600 N
- US 421 between SR 14 and Francesville
- CR 500 S between CR 1200 W and CR 1100 W
County police reported Monday afternoon there were still closures on SR 14 with trees in power lines awaiting utility company repairs.
Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit struck
During the clean-up Sunday evening, a Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit was struck by a southbound vehicle on SR 39. Both Deputy Keaton Leszek and K-9 Tiko were in the vehicle at the time of the collision. Both were checked and medically cleared.
While directing traffic at CR 600 N and SR 39 due to the highway closure, the driver of an SUV failed to yield to the emergency warning lights. The driver, Barbara Hertsel, 51, Goshen, was taken into custody by the Indiana State Police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and endangerment, according to a report from the county sheriff’s department which had contacted the ISP to handle the crash investigation.
(All persons involved are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)
Leszek was medically cleared and released by Pulaski Memorial Hospital. K-9 Tiko appeared to be fine with no abnormal behavior.
Also assisting with the incident were the Winamac Police Dept Department and the Indiana State Highway Department.
Damage at Tippecanoe River State Park
Tippecanoe River State Park reported Monday that due to Sunday's storm all trails had debris and obstructions. Trail 7 was closed. More trails may be closed as assessments are made.
Report storm damage to EMA
The Pulaski County Emergency Management Agency has asked residents to report storm damages to its office for possible assistance. Call (574) 946-6391 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
