(ANGOLA) - Damage assessment teams continued surveying storm damage Friday after severe weather swept across northeast Indiana late Thursday night and early Friday morning, leaving widespread tree damage, power outages, blocked roadways and scattered structural damage.
Tornado Investigation
National Weather Service survey teams spent Friday investigating whether tornadoes touched down in portions of Steuben, LaGrange, Noble and DeKalb counties. As of Friday afternoon, no tornadoes had been officially confirmed.
The storm is also raising questions about warning lead times. While severe thunderstorm warnings were issued Thursday night, no tornado warning was issued for Steuben County before the suspected tornado damage occurred.
Damage Path Emerges
Steuben County Emergency Management Agency has been coordinating damage assessments and collecting reports from residents and businesses. Officials are asking anyone with storm damage to report it through the county's non-emergency line at 260-668-1000, extension 3400.
Indiana Storm Chasers teams spent much of Friday assisting with damage assessments. Tia Justice said survey crews found a narrow corridor of more concentrated damage stretching from the Wolcottville and Rome City area toward Angola.
"What we're seeing is a very defined swath of damage that is greater than the surrounding area," Justice said. "There's very large trees uprooted, very large tree limbs snapped off, tree tops sheared off. It's a narrow path, but it is a path."
Among the reported damage were impacts at Angola Wire, damage at the Angola Dairy Queen, the large commercial sign at Holicki Eye Center, and tree damage in several residential areas. Survey teams also reported damage near Pleasant Lake, Holiday Woods and along portions of U.S. 20 and Interstate 69.
Power Outages
Power outages were widespread following the storms. Every major electric utility serving the area reported customers without power Friday morning as utility crews worked to restore service throughout the day.
City Response
Angola Mayor Dave Martin said city crews, firefighters and dispatchers worked throughout the night responding to storm-related emergencies.
"We had a lot of severe weather that came through our area last night," Martin said. "We have some trees down on some buildings. As far as we know, no injuries that we can speak of at this time."
Martin said city street crews worked through the night clearing debris and reopening roads.
"As far as we know at this point, every street is passable and open," Martin said. "They're all out cleaning up this morning."
Safety Reminder
Despite the widespread damage, no injuries had been reported in Angola or Steuben County as of Friday afternoon.
Officials continue to urge residents to stay away from downed utility lines, use caution around storm debris and report damage to emergency management officials.
This remains a developing story. Additional information is expected as damage assessments continue and National Weather Service survey teams complete their investigations.