Jackson County residents recover after severe storms cause tornadic damage

JACKSON COUNTY, Ind. (WDRB) — Cleanup is underway in Jackson County, Indiana Thursday after severe storms left widespread tornadic damage across parts of southern Indiana.

The severe weather moved through the region late Wednesday into early Thursday. The National Weather Service already confirmed a preliminary EF1 tornado in Jefferson County and Scott County with peak winds of 110 mph.

In Jackson County, the NWS said damage there was also determined to be "tornadic" as crews continue to survey the storms. Residents that live along State Road 58 spent Thursday assessing damage from uprooted trees, destroyed homes and debris scattered across neighborhoods.

"I woke up and it sounded like 10 trains getting ready to hit our house," resident Judith Otte said.

Otte said she and her family dropped to the floor as the storm moved through.

"We hit the floor and about that time you could hear all the trees crackling and falling," she said.

Her mother, Diana Otte, described the storm as quick, but intense.

"The next thing I know, I heard a pop and it was over," she said.

Just doors away from the Ottes' home, one house suffered catastrophic damage, with much of its roof and walls torn away. The owners confirmed no one was home when the storm hit.

For many residents, the focus has now shifted from survival to recovery.

"Devastated. I just can’t believe it," Judith Otte said. “I’m too old for this."

Contractors and emergency officials, including the Jackson County Department of Homeland Security, have been checking on residents and assessing the destruction.

"I didn’t realize it could do what it did, but it did," Diana Otte said. "We’re lucky to be alive. That’s all that we’re thankful for."

Residents said recovery will likely take weeks or even months as cleanup continues.

The NWS is expected to continue to conduct storm surveys to determine if tornadoes touched down and, if so, how strong they were.

Stay weather aware with WDRB. Download the WDRB News, WDRB+ and WDRB Weather apps to your smartphone or devices for alerts and immediate information. Click here for links to the app stores.