‘Many significant injuries;’ Travel warning issued after storms tore through Randolph County

It was part of a storm system that also unleashed suspected tornadoes that damaged homes and businesses in Ohio, especially in Logan County.

“There have been many, many significant injuries, but I don’t know the number,” Douglas Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent, told reporters just before midnight Thursday. “I don’t know where they are. I don’t know what those injuries are. There’s a lot that we don’t know.

Earlier Thursday night, state police said they were investigating reports of deaths, but Carter said at a news conference that there were “no known fatalities,” the Associated Press reports.

>>RELATED: Fatalities confirmed in Logan County; Storm-related damage, injuries reported across region

The Randolph County Sheriff’s office posted an update on social media just before 4 a.m. Friday morning.

“No deaths (are) reported in Randolph County,” they said. “38 injuries (12 transported to neighboring hospitals).”

They said officials will be conducting a thorough damage assessment after daybreak.

The Indiana State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) was activated Thursday night after a storm damaged dozens of homes and injured multiple people.

They said that Randolph and Delaware counties suffered the most damage Thursday night, according to a spokesperson.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has issued a travel warning for Randolph County.

They are asking people to do the following:

• Refrain from all travel
• Comply with necessary emergency measures
• Cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans
• Obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.

>>RELATED: Indiana governor issues condolences to those impacted by Randolph County storms

ISP said in a statement on social media that traffic will be limited to essential personnel only.

These roads will be closed:

• State Route 32 from U.S. 27 will be closed.
• U.S. 27 will be closed between Country Road 100 South and Country Road 300 North.

They said semi-traffic will be diverted from U.S. 27 at U.S. 36 and State Route 28.

>>RELATED: Tornado reportedly touches down in Indiana, damaging multiple homes

Winchester Mayor Bob McCoy said that he and his wife were hunkered in a closet during the twister, which about 8 p.m. Thursday night, according to the AP.

“I’m shaken; it’s overwhelming. I heard what sounded like a train and then I started hearing sirens,” he said.” I’ve never that sound before; I don’t want to hear it again.”

We will continue to provide updates on this story.