‘The roof was gone’: At least two hurt after Thursday night’s severe storms in Wabash County

WABASH COUNTY, Ind. (WPTA) - Strong storms tore through northeast Indiana on Thursday evening, leaving behind widespread damage in Wabash County.

At least two people were hurt, and hundreds remain without power in the county after downed trees damaged residents’ properties, homes, cars, and power lines.

On West Water Works Road in Wabash, strong winds knocked one home off its foundation, injuring one person inside.

The woman sustained multiple injuries in the storm, including a broken pelvis and arm. The homeowners also lost their dog in the storm.

Next door, neighbor Merrill Bishir told 21Alive News he and his wife were in bed when the storm blew in, knocking the roof off their house and injuring his wife.

Bishir says his wife had non-life-threatening injuries.

“Our bedroom was full of glass. And thank god—we were barefoot and we were walking in the glass—and luckily, she only sustained that cut on her head. Took six stitches,” Bishir said.

Wabash County Emergency Management Executive Director Keith Walters says this is the worst damage he has seen in Wabash since he took over the role in 2014.

The Red Cross is offering services to those who need help at the YMCA in Wabash, at 500 S Cass St.

Residents can also check power outage statuses from Duke Energy here and from Northeastern REMC here. Anyone who needs to report damage is asked to call the emergency management director’s office at 260-563-3181.