It was déjà vu for many Bloomington and Monroe County residents this week as their power went out for several days following a mid-day thunderstorm.
Just before many people’s evening commute, trees and poles fell across the city, causing traffic jams and safety problems. Residents struggled to find food, gas and ice, with many stores and restaurants closed as crews worked to assess the damage. A different type of storm in 2023 around the same time also caused widespread power outages. Duke Energy customers.
Here’s a look at reports from our partners at Bloomington Herald Times.
Tuesday, June 25: Supercell storm hits Bloomington
Late Tuesday afternoon, a storm hit and knocked out the electricity. A Duke Energy spokesperson urged residents to stay home, but the storm hit just before rush hour. Fallen debris and downed power lines made the route dangerous.
‘Supercell storm’ cuts power to tens of thousands of people in southern Indiana
No serious injuries were reported in Bloomington storm that left thousands without power
Bloomington Salvation Army shelter offers food, water, cribs and air conditioning
Storm damage leads to disaster declaration in Monroe County
The county issued a disaster declaration due to “excessive rain, wind damage, downed power lines and trees, and damage to public structures, as well as life safety concerns,” according to a county commissioner.
Under state law, local officials may issue such a declaration “to activate the response and recovery aspects of all applicable local or interjurisdictional disaster emergency plans.” The declaration also authorizes “the provision of aid and assistance under the plans.”
What to Know About Monroe County’s Disaster Declaration
‘It was a bit apocalyptic’: residents report strong storm
While the sudden storm came as a surprise to many, some people saw the dark storm clouds approaching and were worried — including a lifeguard at a city pool. Below is a look at what Bloomington residents and visitors had to say about what happened Tuesday.
Bloomington residents report powerful Tuesday storm as city recovers
Power Restoration Begins for Some Duke Energy Customers
As of Thursday, more than half of affected customers had their power restored, but thousands still remained without power. A Duke Energy spokesperson warned that some homes suffered so much damage that homeowners may need to hire an electrician to restore service.
Thousands remain without power two days after storm
NWS says storm had “hurricane force” winds
National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew White told The Herald-Times that the storm’s winds reached 78 miles per hour at its peak. Winds of more than 75 miles per hour are classified as “hurricane force,” capable of pushing moving vehicles off the highway, toppling mobile homes and ripping off roofs.
What caused 78 mph winds in Bloomington?
Recreation areas closed due to storm damage
Downed trees and power lines near Lake Monroe could disrupt some people’s plans for the Fourth of July next week. On Friday, Paynetown and Fairfax state recreation areas on Lake Monroe were closed with restricted access.
Recreation areas and trails near Lake Monroe closed
Summer 2023 storm causes power outages
In 2023, Duke Energy customers in Bloomington had a similar experience, but with a different type of storm. A derecho hit the area on June 29, cutting power to thousands of people for days. Read more about this storm below.
Storm leaves thousands of people without power
Monroe County’s response to derecho criticized
What to do with your food if you don’t have energy
The massive power outage not only meant the closure of supermarkets and restaurants, but also left residents scrambling to salvage what they could from their last trip to the store. Here’s the Herald-Times’ guide to food safety during a power outage.
Refrigerator and freezer without power? Your food-related questions answered
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Bloomington Weather: Here’s What Happened to the Supercell Storm
