LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Golf ball- and baseball-sized hail and winds of 70 to 80 miles per hour injured four people and knocked out power to half of Oakland City, Ind., in Gibson County, Tuesday night.
Gibson Co. Sheriff George Ballard told WDRB News the storm struck about 7 p.m., minutes before the start of the Sweet Corn Parade.
An initial report of 65 injuries attributed to the parade organizer and the National Weather Service proved untrue, Ballard said.
State troopers and sheriff's deputies had blocked the town to outsiders late Tuesday; only residents were allowed access.
Authorities were considering evacuation of about 100 residents of a nursing home because the facility had no air conditioning. First responders capped a short-lived propane leak that forced evacuations, Ballard said.
The eastern half of town was without power, and there were lines and trees down throughout Oakland City and the surrounding area. The winds, perhaps straight-line winds, blew down grain bins and took shingles from many roofs, Ballard said. The true extent of the damage may not be seen until daylight Wednesday.
The sheriff's office activated warning sirens at least ten minutes before the storms struck the town.
Duke Energy had reported more than 1,000 customers without power in the Oakland City/Gibson County area Tuesday evening.
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