550W/Deaver Rd. damage-Courtesy-BCSO
COLUMBUS, Ind. – Columbus and Bartholomew County were hit with another severe thunderstorm Sunday evening just after 7 p.m. It included hail and damaging winds. A tornado warning was issued at 7:08 p.m., but officials have not confirmed whether another tornado struck the county or if it was a strong thunderstorm.
Just over a week ago, the National Weather Service confirmed that a tornado touched down in Bartholomew County on March 19, at around 9 p.m.
High winds caused downed trees and power lines, and the Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office reported several accidents.
Among other damage, a utility pole on County Road 550W, near Deaver Road, snapped, fell across the road, and closed the highway. Homes lost power, and many traffic lights were out. At one point, Duke Energy said that over 15,000 of its customers were without power.
Authorities have not reported any serious injuries.
The following roads are closed due to power lines down.
In its latest update at 7:15 am on Monday, Bartholomew County Emergency Management said that because the stoplights are out at National Road and Westenedge Drive in Columbus, officers are directing traffic.
The following roads are closed:
- County Road 300S at County Road 650W
- County Road 650W at County Road 450S
- County Road 250E, between State Street and County Road 275S
- County Road 550W, between Nasby Trail and Deaver Road
- County Road 300S at County Road 475W
