Tornado Victims Eager To Get Back Into Damaged Homes

INDIANAPOLIS -- Some tornado victims were briefly allowed to return to their homes Sunday to retrieve their cars from the heavily damaged Falcon Point apartments.

Victims had to have a driver's license and keys to be allowed in to get their vehicles with a police escort, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.

Natasha Prim's car was damaged but was drivable. She felt lucky, compared to others.

"It's actually scarier (seeing the damage after the storm)," Prim said. "You can't believe that you survived it."

Theron Keller was able to get his Chevrolet Blazer. He hoped that the new clothes he had just bought for his daughter, McKenzie, 1, weren't ruined. Keller and his daughter took shelter in the bathroom until the storm passed, but he's worried about the future.

"Finding another apartment that's in a decent area that's not too bad and at a good price -- that's going to be the hardest part," Keller said. "Even though the Red Cross is willing to pay the first month's rent and the deposit. It's still going to be hard to find."

Residents will be allowed into their damaged apartments beginning Monday at approximately noon.

Firefighters worked all night to clear the damage and make sure the buildings are structurally sound.

Residents will be given about 30 minutes to get important paperwork.

"(I hope to get) my grandmother's wedding set," Prim said. "She passed away 10 years ago, and that's really, really important to me."

City leaders warned homeowners to beware of contractors who might look to take advantage of the situation.

"It happens usually in every disaster -- some unscrupulous contractors who may be approaching homeowners to do roof repair, home repair, debris removal," said John Ball, Marion County's director of emergency management.

Storm victims should get three estimates of what it will take to repair damage. Contractors should never be paid up front, and the company should be licensed with the city. Residents can check a company's status by calling 317-327-8700

Anyone who would like to help storm victims should not give money to individuals, because some of them may be conning people, too. It is best to give directly to organizations helping victims, such as Red Cross, Salvation Army or the Back Porch Alliance.