Indiana
Gov. Mike Braun activates Indiana National Guard to aid 41 counties in storm recovery
Drone shows Carmel damage from unconfirmed tornado, severe weather
Aerial views show the damage caused by the severe weather and reported tornadoes that passed through central Indiana on Wednesday.
After severe weather tore through at least 41 counties across the state last night, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced he would activate the Indiana National Guard to help residents impacted by the severe weather.
“Hoosier Guardsmen always answer the call to serve our state and our nation,” Gov. Braun said in the press release. “In times like these, I’m immensely grateful for the soldiers who are on the ground ensuring Hoosier safety.”
The full extent of the damage to communities across Indiana remains unknown, but the Governor’s Office is continuing its damage assessments and recovery operations.
Last night, photos and videos from across the state showing damaged houses, destroyed factories and hazardous road conditions started to appear online. Daylight gave a broader view of the destruction in areas hit by tornadoes. Three tornadoes were confirmed by Thursday afternoon with the largest being an EF2 that hit near Brownsburg.
The Guardsmen will send units based in Jasper, Vincennes and Seymour to help with “Operation Sandcastle,” while units in Bedford, Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Chandler will remain ready if called upon.
About 50 soldiers are supporting this mission, but more may be asked to help as the day continues.
As of Thursday, the Governor’s Office is working with the Indiana National Guard, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Indiana Department of Corrections to begin sandbagging operations in support of flood prevention of critical infrastructure and damage to civilian property.
Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.
Powerful storms brings heavy rain, tornadoes to central Indiana
Video captured the moments as intense storms moved across central Indiana and the damage left behind.