Severe storms move into southwest Indiana

Tornadoes kill 3, leave miles of flattened towns and devastation

3/2/2012
ASSOCIATED PRESS

HENRYVILLE, Ind. — Tornadoes ripped across several small southern Indiana towns on Friday, killing at least three people and leaving behind miles of flattened devastation along the border with Kentucky.

At least three people died in Jefferson County, about 30 miles north of Louisville, Ky., said Indiana Department of Homeland Security Spokesman John Erickson.

Multiple injuries also were reported in nearby Clark County, where Sheriff’s Department Maj. Chuck Adams said the small town of Marysville is “completely gone,” and the 2,000-resident town of Henryville was unrecognizable.

Aerial views of Henryville from WLKY in Louisville, Ky., showed dozens of overturned semis strewn around what had been a truck stop. The building was smashed.

Few recognizable structures remained and Sara Reschar of West Clark Community Schools says the district had received reports of heavy damage at Henryville High School, where roofs could be seen. A school bus appeared to have been tossed into a building.

“These buildings are completely gone,” said Bill Dereamer, the WLKY helicopter pilot.