Latest news with #MonroeCountyEmergencyManagement
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Post office destroyed, houses damaged by tornadoes in Bloomington, surrounding counties
Tornadoes touched down in Bloomington, Greene County, Brown County and elsewhere across Indiana on Friday, May 16, as a line of storms caused destruction across parts of the Midwest. Some of the first reports were from Linton, where the police department sent out a news release stating that at 6:50 p.m., "a confirmed tornado was located over Linton, or 31 miles southeast of Terre Haute, moving east at 45 mph." The release said weather spotters had confirmed the tornado. Social media reports from Greene County showed photos of softball-sized hail. At 7:30 p.m. Ashley Byarlay was driving home when she watched a tornado form over the housing subdivision off Gordon Pike just south of Batchelor Middle School. She took videos on Facebook as she drove and explained what she was seeing. "My dream job was to be a storm chaser," she said, "so I got to live my dream job today." She said she watched the tornado touch down near South Rogers and That Road and then lift up and travel farther east before dropping down again. The Clear Creek Post Office was hit as were several other buildings. Transformers and power lines were laying in the street as people came out from their homes and drove by in cars to see the damage. Her husband, Michael Byarlay, was waiting at home. Both were surveying the damage later, instead of going on the date they had planned. While the sun set and sheriff deputies began to walk down the road, looking at the damage, the scanner on Michael's cell phone was alerting emergency personnel in Brown County that Ind. 135 was closed due to debris in the road, hindering ambulances from helping people in the line of the storms there. "I heard there were two dead horses south of here," Michael said, pointing toward the area close to the Bloomington Speedway. At 9 p.m. Friday, the Monroe County Emergency Management Facebook page posted an alert that the county had issued a travel advisory due to hazardous road conditions. Ind. 45 near Abel Nursery just west of Bloomington was closed to traffic. Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@ This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Clear Creek Post Office, homes damaged by tornadoes Friday night
CBS News
21-03-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Brush fire continues to threaten travel in and out of the Keys on U.S. 1
Fire crews are battling a massive brush fire known as the 344 Fire, which has burned 24,000 acres in Monroe County and remains only 30% contained. The blaze has forced the closure of Card Sound Road and officials warn that U.S. 1's 18-Mile Stretch could face intermittent shutdowns in the coming days. Authorities urge travelers to prepare for heavy delays and avoid the area if possible. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Forest Service are leading the response, with additional water tankers set to arrive on Friday. Firefighters are facing difficult conditions due to low humidity and gusting winds, increasing the risk of further spread. Officials emphasize that drones must not be flown in the area, as they can disrupt crucial aerial firefighting operations. While U.S. 1 remains open, closures may be necessary to assist firefighting efforts. Monroe County Emergency Management advises motorists to expect lengthy stops and detours. So far, emergency services in the Florida Keys remain unaffected. Residents and travelers can stay updated on road conditions through the Monroe County Sheriff's Office app, social media, and . Officials urge the public to avoid outdoor burning, discard cigarettes safely and ensure trailer chains do not drag, as fire risks remain high.
