Duke Energy Nears Full Power Restoration After EF2 Tornado Strikes Monroe County

Staff report

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — May 18, 2025 — Duke Energy reported Sunday morning that it had restored power to all but 77 customers in Monroe County following a destructive tornado that swept through the area Friday night.

According to Duke Energy spokesperson Liz Irwin, crews have been working continuously in the hardest-hit areas where storm debris, fallen trees, and severe structural damage have complicated efforts.

The utility company expects to restore service to most of the remaining customers by 5 p.m. Sunday. However, some residents will not be able to receive power due to the destruction of their homes or buildings.

“In some cases, there is not a home or business left to connect to power,” Irwin stated. “Safety remains our top priority as we work to restore power as safely and quickly as possible.”

The tornado, confirmed as a low-end EF2 by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Indianapolis, was part of a long-lived supercell thunderstorm that traveled from Illinois through south-central Indiana on Friday night. The NWS said the tornado touched down in west-central Monroe County and cut a destructive path through the area.

A preliminary damage survey found the tornado reached its peak intensity near Old State Road 37 in the Clear Creek area, where it caused substantial destruction, including:

• Removal of the roof and a wall from an older motel.
• Destruction of garages and outbuildings with debris thrown up to 100 yards.
• Roof loss and structural damage to a small post office in Clear Creek.
• Widespread tree damage and damage to multiple homes, including duplexes that suffered roof loss and vehicle damage.

The tornado was at its widest in Monroe County at approximately 250 yards, according to the NWS, with a path of continued EF0 to EF1 damage across the eastern portion of the county.

Emergency management agencies and federal weather officials are expected to release more detailed information in the coming days as assessments continue.

Residents affected by the storm are encouraged to remain cautious as crews work to clear debris and restore essential services. For updates, Duke Energy advises monitoring its outage map or contacting customer service directly.

The post Duke Energy Nears Full Power Restoration After EF2 Tornado Strikes Monroe County first appeared on The Bloomingtonian.