Energy Life

Some in Rock County could be without power until Tuesday after a tornado tore through the area Thursday night, according to Rock County Emergency Management.Thursday night’s strong storms brought an EF1 tornado through Green County and an EF2 tornado through Rock County, according to preliminary surveys by the National Weather Service.Josh Learn’s family farm near Edgerton is one of many farms hit hard by the storms in Rock County. Still battling strong winds, Learn and his family were surveying the damage Friday.What used to be one of their tobacco barns is now a large pile of mangled metal and broken wood. The family said they also lost a dairy barn and lots of farm equipment. “There are busted power poles and barns and houses leveled for 40 miles,” Josh Learn said.Learn said the farm has been in his family for around 150 years. “It’s a total loss, seeing everything knocked over,” he said.The farm is in a part of town, still in the dark. Energy crews are working to restore downed power lines in parts of Edgerton and Evansville, and law enforcement still has multiple roads blocked off due to the hazards.In a town hall meeting Friday, Rock County officials said energy crews restored most of the power to the area late Thursday night. However, some sectors could be without power until Tuesday.”We responded last night. A lot of folks worked really hard to try to get out and check on you and make contact,” Rock County Emergency Management Director Kevin Wernet said to residents in the town hall. “In some cases, there were some areas that were very difficult to get to and there were a lot of hazards.”The Learn family is navigating those hazards and difficult emotions, but working together to move forward.”A lot of people helped everyone with the damage,” said Sidney Learn, Josh’s son. The Learn family said they do not yet know how much the damage will cost them, but they estimate it will be in the six-figure range.”With all farming, I think it’s kind of a wait-and-see. You don’t really know until it’s happened. So we will be pushing through this to see what comes of it, to see where we can move forward,” said Jenelle Nelson. Rock County officials said their command and resource center set up at Evansville’s Piggly Wiggly will likely be open through the end of the weekend.