Fort Wayne storm damage nearly $2M, likely to rise

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) -- A severe thunderstorm that toppled thousands of trees in Fort Wayne has cost the city nearly $2 million for cleanup work that continues more than a month after the storm.

Fort Wayne mayor's spokesman Frank Suarez says the $1.8 million in cleanup costs incurred by the city includes $900,000 spent hiring contractors who helped remove storm debris from city streets. He says the bill doesn't include $600,000 in damage to city buildings or vehicles.

Suarez tells the Journal Gazette the city's cleanup costs from the June 29 storm are likely to rise.

That storm toppled thousands of trees and cut power to about 118,000 homes and businesses when winds up to 90 mph raked the area. A second round of storms a week later caused more damage.
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Information from: The Journal Gazette, http://www.journalgazette.net