Indiana City Wants Cleanup of Tornado-Damaged Properties

Kokomo, Ind., officials are pushing owners of tornado-damaged properties to repair the properties or tear them down.

The Kokomo Tribune reports the city’s code enforcement section has begun sending letters to owners of damaged structures urging them to make a decision about how to proceed.

Some owners say they haven’t started to repair damage from the Nov. 17 storms because they are still working with their insurance companies.

Deputy Fire Chief Nick Glover says officials haven’t pushed the issue with property owners until now because of the harsh winter. But he says it’s time for the cleanup to pick up steam.

City and state officials estimate that more than 100 commercial and business structures were damaged by the tornado and that up to 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.

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