BLOOMINGTON — Troopers from the Indiana State Police Bloomington District spent Wednesday night responding to a severe weather emergency after intense thunderstorms, high winds, and a confirmed tornado struck Owen and Monroe counties on June 17.
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in northern Owen County, leaving a trail of damage. High winds uprooted trees and snapped power lines, blocking multiple county roadways and completely shutting down a section of US 231 north of Spencer.
In Monroe County, severe weather heavily disrupted major travel corridors. Downed trees blocked all northbound lanes of Interstate 69 at the 130-mile marker, located between Bloomington and Martinsville. The interstate remained impassable for at least an hour while crews from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) worked to clear the heavy debris.
Following the storm’s passage, troopers conducted welfare checks on several homes that sustained structural damage to ensure residents were safe. In northern Owen County, widespread utility line damage left the town of Gosport completely without power.
Emergency response efforts were highly collaborative, with state troopers working closely alongside local law enforcement agencies, area fire departments, utility crews, and INDOT personnel to clear roads and secure storm-damaged areas.
As of Thursday morning, the Bloomington District reported no storm-related injuries to emergency personnel or residents.
