Rochester left with widespread damage after severe storms
Severe thunderstorms ripped across Michiana early Thursday morning, with wind gusts greater than seventy miles per hour. This caused major, widespread damage to Rochester. The main damage was to trees, many of them old and large. The trees came down on houses, cars, power lines, and blocked many roadways.
Two cars were crushed by massive trees in Rochester last night as severe thunderstorms swept through #inwxpic.twitter.com/i4GW3bZR08
— Erica Horvatin (@erica_wx) May 23, 2019
The roof of a feed store blew off of it's building, and consequently, rain ruined a large amount of the owner's feed product.
An aluminum roof blew off of this feed store in Rochester, now the owner is finding much of his feed has been ruined by rainwater #inwxpic.twitter.com/NdJ8lT4W1v
— Erica Horvatin (@erica_wx) May 23, 2019
Many trees were broken in half, but this mainly happened to trees that had a bit of rot.
Many trees that were starting to rot were snapped in half. Many people were grid-locked this morning due to all of the trees in the roads #rochester#inwxpic.twitter.com/VAGneQBRrn
— Erica Horvatin (@erica_wx) May 23, 2019
Schools were closed due to power loss and because many people were trapped at their homes due to all of the trees in the roads.
As Thursday drew to an end, many streets remained uncleared. Cleanup will continue to Friday.