A series of tornadoes tore through parts of Indiana and Ohio on Wednesday, ravaging homes, buildings, and businesses throughout both states. A preliminary estimate of twelve tornadoes was established early on Thursday, though official assessments are still ongoing.

Kokomo, a town in Howard County, Ind., fell victim to the largest twister recorded during yesterday's outbreak that was rated by the National Weather Service as an EF3, packing winds of up to 165 miles per hour. A Starbucks in the town was flattened almost instantly by that tornado, though miraculously no injuries there or anywhere else in the hard-hit vicinity were reported.

Tornado Path Maps

Indiana Governor and Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence took a break from the campaign trail on Thursday to tour his home state, view the damage incurred and visit with locals staying at a Red Cross shelter that was organized to help house residents whose homes had been damaged by the severe weather.

"It's just very moving to me to talk to these families, family members who were in their homes, in the city's homes virtually completely destroyed but because people's quick thinking...no serious injuries, no loss of lives," Pence said. "And it's a miracle and it's a testament to good common sense by Hoosiers caring about their neighbors, looking after their own."

According to authorities, eight Indiana counties confirmed reports of tornadoes. Fifteen homes were damaged in Howard County as well as thirty in Montgomery County, according to U.S. News & World Reports.

A temporary state of emergency was declared in Howard County, wherein all roads were closed off except to public safety officials and emergency response vehicles.

Fox News reports that in Ohio, a spokesman for the state's Emergency Management Agency confirmed damage from several tornadoes spanning through four counties.

Videos of Destruction

**

**Latin Post has not been able to independently verify the veracity of the videos.