Tornado cleanup costs lower than expected

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) - A southern Indiana county's cleanup costs from the deadly tornado outbreak in March have turned out to be much less than expected.

The Clark County Council voted this week to approve using $1.9 million from the county general fund for cleanup expenses from the March 2 tornado that struck the Henryville and Marysville areas.

The Courier-Journal reports that County Attorney Greg Fifer says the county expects federal and other reimbursements to cover the remaining roughly $8 million.

That total is about one-third less than early estimates of $15 million. Fifer says that is "a testament" to residents and volunteers who pitched in to help rather than waiting on the government.

County officials are preparing a property tax levy appeal to the state to help cover the costs.