Dearborn Co. provides response timeline following June tornadoes

(AURORA, Ind.) – A new report provides a timeline of how Dearborn County officials responded after a local family lost their home during the storms last month

Lisa Barker and Bobby Hensley’s Aurora home was destroyed when a tornado ripped through their property on East Laughery Creek Road on June 18. 

Barker appeared on a Cincinnati TV station this week and allegedly claimed that she did not receive any help from the county. 

She also stated that the Dearborn County Emergency Management Agency only showed up on the night of the storms and only left her with a flashlight, according to the news report. 

On Thursday, Dearborn County Commissioner Duane Bischoff released a report that provides a timeline and documents the actions that occurred.

The Report 

The tornado occurred around 12:14 a.m. on June 18 and first responders arrived in the area of Cole Lane and East Laughery Road by 12:45 a.m. 

Dearborn County EMA Director Jason Sullivan responded to the scene a short time later after receiving confirmation that significant damage had occurred. 

The Red Cross was notified a short time later and officials said they first made contact with Barker and Hensley around 2:34 a.m. 

“Aurora Fire and Aurora EMS advised that Ms. Barker refused medical treatment. Additionally, both individuals refused to leave the residence and advised that they were not in need of anything,” the report states. 

The report also claims that Barker declined assistance from the Red Cross. A representative with Red Cross provided contact information if she would later change her mind. 

A Dearborn County EMA volunteer saw her around 11:30 a.m. and asked if they needed any assistance.

“Ms. Barker also advised that they did not need anything. The EMA volunteer gave her contact information to the EMA office and advised her if anything changed to call or e-mail,” the report claims. 

That same EMA volunteer spoke with Barker at 5 p.m. and claims that she confirmed that she did not any assistance, according to the report.

Masters of Disaster, a local emergency response nonprofit, also contacted Barker about providing their clean-up services. She allegedly declined their offer. 

A photo in the report shows the amount of debris that Dearborn County road crews cleaned up from the area in front of her property. (Photo provided below)