On the night of March 10, Lake Village experienced a devastating tornado, leading to a series of 911 calls to Newton County’s dispatch center. At 7:17 p.m., the first call reported a house hit with three people trapped inside. Minutes later, severe damage was noted around County Roads 600 W and 900 N, prompting a full response request from multiple fire departments. Reports of houses being heavily damaged or missing soon followed.
The urgency of the situation was highlighted in 911 calls which stated, ‘SEND OUT AN ALL PAGE// NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET,’ as recorded in the call log. Jim Large, the E-911 director, shared the log with the Post-Tribune, revealing the extensive challenges faced by this small community during the rare EF3 tornado. This disaster resulted in the deaths of an elderly couple and injuries to six others in Lake Village.
Early Warnings and Preparedness
The morning of March 10, Matt VanDrunen, director of Newton County’s Emergency Management Agency, attended a monthly meeting where severe weather was forecast. The humid conditions were closely watched by the National Weather Service, as cooler temperatures anticipated would bring storms.
By 4 p.m., a tornado watch was issued. Officials dispatched weather spotters by 5:49 p.m., just as reports indicated a tornado was on the ground near Illinois at 6:52 p.m. The county promptly activated its warning sirens, even before the National Weather Service’s official tornado warning.
Newton County’s dispatch center received 117 calls following the tornado strike. While 43 calls were answered, backup centers took the remaining calls.
Tornado Tracking and Immediate Response
Fire Chief Rob Churchill and other trained firefighters tracked the tornado’s movement from Illinois, observing it closely as they relayed information. At 6:58 p.m., the National Weather Service advised spotters to seek shelter as the tornado neared County Roads 600 West and 950 North. Despite the circumstances, officials and firefighters swiftly coordinated emergency responses, assisted by Indiana Task Force 1.
Assessing the Aftermath
Eric Lenning from the National Weather Service conducted a damage survey on March 11, confirming the EF3 classification of the tornado, which brought wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph. Two homes were completely destroyed, though the storm’s intensity varied across different areas.
Community efforts focused on immediate search and rescue missions, with priority given to visibility and accessibility for those needing help. Sheriff Shannon Cothran actively shared updates through social media to keep residents informed during the crisis.
Long-Term Recovery and Community Impact
The path of destruction left by the tornado was evident as recovery efforts began. Significant damages to homes and businesses continue to challenge residents. The task of rebuilding and restoring normalcy is ongoing, with construction efforts visible throughout the area.
Nikki Hanger, Lake Village Township Trustee, reflected on balancing personal losses with community responsibilities. Her home, severely damaged, will be rebuilt as she and her husband temporarily relocate. Overall, an estimated 142 properties suffered damage according to local assessments, emphasizing the wide-reaching impact of the storm on the small community.
Residents, including lifelong Lake Village resident Bud Bushman, remain hopeful. Despite the extensive damage, he expresses optimism about the town’s resilience, recognizing the changed landscape but maintaining a positive outlook on recovery.
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