DAYTON (AP) — The Latest on damaging storms in Ohio and Indiana (all times local):
6:25 a.m.
Emergency crews are going door-to-door checking homes in Indiana after damaging storms spawned apparent tornadoes in the state and in Ohio.
Madison County Emergency Management spokesman Todd Harmeson says least 75 homes were damaged in Pendleton and the nearby community of Huntsville. No serious injuries were reported in the area or other parts of the state where possible tornadoes hit Monday night.
Madison County authorities say roads in Pendleton, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis, are blocked with trees, downed power lines and utility poles. Pendleton High School is open as a shelter.
The National Weather Service says a survey team will investigate damage in Madison County and possibly in Henry County. Another team may survey damage in Tippecanoe County.
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6 a.m.
The energy company serving the Dayton, Ohio, area says at least 64,000 customers are without power following a series of apparent tornadoes.
Dayton Power & Light said in a tweet early Tuesday it was undertaking a “multi-day restoration effort” and urged customers to make emergency backup plans.
The National Weather Service reported earlier more than 70,000 outages across Ohio, affecting more than 5 million people.
The service confirmed Monday night that a “large and dangerous tornado” hit near Trotwood, Ohio, outside of Dayton.
The storm tore roofs off several apartment buildings in Trotwood.
Multiple schools are closed or starting late around Dayton following the storm damage.
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2:30 a.m.
The National Weather Service says there are more 70,000 power outages across the state of Ohio, affecting over 5 million people.
The service tweeted Tuesday morning that to send reports of outages via social media or email if possible.
It also says the tornado threat has “exited our area of responsibility.”
The service confirmed Monday night that a “large and dangerous tornado” hit near Trotwood, Ohio, outside of Dayton. ___
1:45 a.m.
An Indiana town was heavily damaged by storms, including reports of two tornados.
WRTV-TV reports that Madison County Emergency Management spokesman Todd Harmeson said Tuesday morning that, “We do not know at this time if this was a tornado, straight-line winds or what the cause was” of damage in Pendleton. He says there are several videos floating around that show funnel clouds but that the National Weather Service will make that determination.
Harmeson says residents should stay indoors due to energized downed powerlines on the ground. “We just believe at this time it is not safe,” he said. He says an estimated 4,000 people are without power.
Pendleton residents being evacuated can go to the Pendleton High School cafeteria for shelter.
Pendleton is 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis.
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12:23 a.m.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is using snow plows to remove debris off an Ohio highway after a “large and dangerous” tornado hit the area late Monday.
Transportation spokesman Matt Bruning said its crews are using several plows to scrape debris off to the side of southbound Interstate 75, trying to get the highway reopened as soon as possible. “We’ll do a more thorough cleaning after we get lanes opened,” he told the Associated Press via text early Tuesday. He said tow trucks eventually will have to deal with damaged vehicles along the roadway, too. He said other crews are also clearing debris northwest of Dayton in Mercer and Darke counties. Trying to clear the debris in the middle of the night is a difficult task, complicated by darkness and downed power lines, Bruning said.
The National Weather Service confirmed Monday night that a “large and dangerous tornado” hit near Trotwood, Ohio, outside of Dayton.