A tree was uprooted by high winds and rested on the home of Marvin & DeEtta Chastain at the corner of Kovener & Howard Streets in Crothersville. Similar damage was widespread across Southern Indiana and Kentucky. Power remains off on the east side of Crothersville as of Wednesday morning.
Severe winds, the remnants of Hurricane Ike combined with an approaching front from the west to hammer Kentucky and Southern Indiana Sunday. Trees were uprooted, limbs snapped, numerous homes were damaged in the Crothersville area.
The plate glass windows at Jolly Gibson’s Antique Shop were broken by wind tossed debris.
The storms cut power in a widespread area and forced the cancellation of Sunday’s Sesquicentennial Gospel Concert.
In a weather related death, a Crothersville man was struck by a falling limb while attending a family gathering in Ripley County. Killed was Gerald ‘Big Red’ Reynolds, 61, of Crothersville.
Portions of Crothersville had power restored Sunday evening, but as of Monday electric power was not available in the east portion of town. A large pine tree was uprooted and tore down electric, phone and cable TV lines along South Preston Street between Main & Moore Streets.
Duke Energy officials explained that the power outage was widespread and they are working to re-energize lines as quickly as possible.
Salem and North Vernon were still without power as of Monday morning.
According to Jed Wheatley, General Manger of Jackson County REMC, heavy winds knocked out electricity service broadly across the rural electrical service territory with falling trees and limbs taking down several main distribution lines and numerous individual taps and services.
“More than half the system was without power on Sunday, in excess of 12,000 customers,” said Wheatley.
Nearly 6,000 Jackson REMC customers remain without power as of noon Monday predominantly throughout Jackson, Washington, Scott, Jennings, Brown, and Lawrence Counties.
Extensive restoration efforts will likely continue into Wednesday and Thursday as all available resources are being utilized, including utility crews from Northern Indiana. “Efforts will concentrate on restoring three-phase backbone lines on Monday and will extend to major taps on Tuesday,” said Wheatley. “Please do not go near any downed power line, and keep away from any trees and limbs that are in contact with power lines.
The storm came as an sobering anti-climax to Crothersville’s Sesquicentennial Celebration.
