Displaced Kokomo Residents Spend Night In Shelter

KOKOMO, Ind. -- Nearly 200 people spent the night at a Red Cross shelter in Kokomo after several tornados touched down throughout the area Wednesday.

While the number of injuries is minimal, the damage to homes and businesses is extensive. About a dozen people suffered minor injuries, mostly from flying debris.

The American Red Cross set up a shelter at the Kokomo Event and Conference Center for those displaced.

Red Cross Spokesperson Mark Slusher said more than 100 homes were classified as destroyed.

“[In] 2013 same areas were impacted, so this is the second time for some,” Slusher said. “So it’s nice for them to just come to a comfortable place.”

Lamaria Capers said her home wasn’t badly damaged in the storm, but she brought her two children to the shelter for the night because much of the city was without power.

“You always see other people going through it,” Capers said. “I’ve never been through it before. Now that it’s hitting home I understand how it could affect families.”

The Red Cross shelter will remain open as long as there’s a need in the community.

Gov. Mike Pence and Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb will survey storm damage in Howard and Montgomery counties Thursday morning.