Rain, hail pound Decatur County

Aug. 28--GREENSBURG -- Decatur County residents endured severe weather and were the recipients of baseball-sized hail Saturday.

According to Decatur County Emergency Management Agency Director Brad Speer, the majority of reported hail and wind damage was to crops between Ind. 3 and Clarksburg. However, Speer said "a lot" of cars were damaged by hail in Decatur County and two homes were damaged by fallen trees. Thankfully, he said, there were no reported injuries.

The EMA director said he recommends staying up to date on weather in the future to prevent any unnecessary vehicle damages or injuries.

"We have our Nixle system in place, and we try to get information out quickly," Speer said. "Also, just monitor your local weather."

Local businesses weren't exempt from Saturday's havoc.

According to Jerry Sebo from the Don Meyer Ford dealership in Greensburg, they sustained considerable damage as a result of hail.

"Every car on my lot was hit," Sebo said. "Some windows and windshields were shattered."

The Greensburg Police Department is dealing with damage as well.

Greensburg Police Chief Brendan Bridges has been busy dealing with the ramifications of Saturday's weather. He said the department has six police cars that were damaged by hail. He also said he is currently dealing with calls regarding the many damage repair business representatives approaching local residents at their door.

"If you don't want them to be there, ask them to leave," Bridges said. "If they don't, call dispatch and we will help remove them from the property."

Approaching residents door to door is in violation of a 2014 city ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to "ensure the safety, peace, and well-being of all citizens of the City of Greensburg through the regulation and delineation of appropriate methods and means of door-to-door contact with citizens at their residences located within the city limits of the City of Greensburg."

Individuals or businesses performing the above actions in violation of this ordinance shall be penalized a minimum of $500 per day, but not more than $1,000 per day or more than $2,500 per violation for unauthorized solicitation. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day a violation occurs or continues. (To view this ordinance, visit www.cityofgreensburg.com.)

Bridges also said his department received some calls asking the police department to take report of vehicle damage. For future reference, he asks residents to contact their insurance provider since the damages were caused by the weather.

Decatur County residents can receive updates and alerts from the emergency management agency, such as weather updates, road closures, and reports of accidents or other hazards, by texting decaturco to 888777.

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Contact: Joshua Heath, 812-663-3111 x7401; [email protected]

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