Press release and update 6/28/24

PRESS RELEASE UPDATE ON STORM DAMAGE

Note: Local landfills are not accepting deliveries of any trash currently due to lack of power.

More than 100 damage reports have been collected by Indiana 211 following Tuesday’s storm event in Monroe County.

The National Weather Service confirmed straight-line winds of 65-75 mph damaged homes and property in Monroe, Owen, Vigo and Clay counties. All four counties have declared, or plan to declare, local disasters due to the incident. No reports of significant injuries have been received at this point. Impacted residents in these four counties are asked to call 211 to report damage or visit the website at https://in211.org.

Damage

Most of these reports involve overturned trees into homes, some with significant damage. Only a handful of residents reported their homes to be uninhabitable. The local Salvation Army reported only two residents utilized the shelter established at their location, 111 N. Rogers St. The shelter will close Thursday, although residents with housing needs should contact Vinal Lee with the Salvation Army at 765-227-6909. This shelter is only available for residents with homes impacted by the storm.

As of 1 p.m. Thursday, approximately 28,000 power outages were reported across Indiana, with nearly 16,000 of those reported in Monroe County.

Bloomington residents are asked to avoid traveling on High Street until Friday.

Food/Water

Hoosier Hills Food Bank will offer a free emergency food distribution 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday at 2333 West Industrial Park Drive. An assortment of both perishable and non-perishable goods will be provided. Limit two households per vehicle, no exceptions.

Community donations are welcome as well by contacting hhfoodbank.org or by sending a contribution to P.O. Box 697, Bloomington IN 47402.

Additionally, residents on SNAP benefits may be eligible replace lost food by contacting the local Monroe County Division of Family Resources, 1531 S. Curry Pike, Suite 300, Bloomington, IN, (800-403-0864) or https://fssabenefits.in.gov/bp/.

Bottled water distribution will be held from 3-8 p.m. today at Sherwood Oaks Church, 2700 E. Rogers Road. Residents in need can drive in and pick up two cases (maximum) of water, and the water will be distributed from 2-8 p.m. Friday.

Debris Removal

Property owners with storm damaged trees and debris are asked to cut the debris into manageable pieces and stack it near the edge of the property. Monroe County and the City of Bloomington are formulating plans to remove the debris using city/county departments and potentially private contractors.

The city and county crews will not remove home damage debris, construction debris or damaged home goods. Stacked vegetative debris must not impede traffic on the public roadway. Only vegetative debris is eligible for removal.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department reported all downed powerlines have been neutralized, although residents should always avoid contact with downed lines.

Cooling Stations

Due to sustained heat, public safety personnel are coordinating cooling centers to temporarily support those impacted by the storm. Cooling stations have been established in Bloomington, Ellettsville and Unionville. A full list can be found https://www.in.gov/dhs/files/monroe-county-cooling-stations-june-2024-flyer.pdf.

Indiana Volunteer Organizations After Disaster (IN VOAD), Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and various cleanup crews continue to mobilize as well.

Media Inquiries
All media inquiries should be directed to the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency at 812-335-7288. Media inquiries are being coordinated by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to assist Monroe EMA. Availability is limited as personnel evaluate damages.