A state of emergency was declared in Howard County, Indiana, after a large, damaging tornado hit the town of Kokomo Wednesday afternoon, flattening a Starbucks and causing significant damage to dozens of homes and businesses, according to the Weather Channel.

The National Weather Service said an EF3 tornado hit the south side of Kokomo, packing winds of up to 165 mph. Utility companies reported at least 18,000 homes and businesses remained without electricity Thursday morning.

The storms damaged homes and two apartment complexes in Kokomo, forcing about 220 people into temporary shelters overnight, Kokomo Mayor Greg Goodnight said at a news conference.

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'Miracle no one was killed'


Indiana Gov. Mike Pence says it is a miracle that no one was killed or badly hurt by a tornado that hit the city of Kokomo, according to The Indianapolis Star. Pence spoke Thursday after touring a neighborhood and businesses hit by Wednesday’s tornado.

Several tornadoes were also reported Wednesday evening in Ohio, causing structural property damage in western parts of the state.

Here are photos of some of the damage in Kokomo:

cars in trees

A vehicle rests on another after a tornado struck in Kokomo, Ind., Wednesday. (TeeJay Crawford via AP Photo)

tornado damage

This image made from a video provided by WTHR 13 shows damage to homes after a tornado in Kokomo, Ind., Wednesday. (WTHR 13 via AP Photo)

tornado debris

This image made from a video provided by WTHR 13 shows damage to homes after a tornado in Kokomo, Ind., Wednesday. (WTHR 13 via AP Photo)

tornado damaged neighborhood in Kokomo, Indiana

This image made from a video provided by WTHR 13 shows damage to homes after a tornado in Kokomo, Ind., Wednesday, Aug. 24. (WTHR 13 via AP Photo)

This image made from a video shows a tornado

This image made from a video shows a tornado Wednesday in Kokomo, Ind. (Bruce Robinson via AP Photo)

Tree branches rest on top of a vehicle after a tornado struck in Kokomo, Ind.

Tree branches rest on top of a vehicle after a tornado struck in Kokomo, Ind., Wednesday. (TeeJay Crawford via AP Photo)

house hit by tornado

Donna Massey helps a friend secure personal items in her house, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in Kokomo, Ind. The area was hit by tornados Wednesday afternoon. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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Jayleen R. Heft

Jayleen Heft is the digital content editor for PropertyCasualty360.com. Contact her at [email protected].

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