A celebration of the life of late Sprint car driver Bryan Clauson has been interrupted -- but not impacted -- by a tornado that has caused considerable damage just a few miles away in Kokomo, Indiana.
The celebration of Clauson’s life brought out a packed house at Kokomo Speedway, one of Clauson’s favorite racetracks. He lived in nearby Noblesville. The celebration began shortly after 1 p.m. ET.
Kokomo Speedway, which apparently did not suffer any damage from the tornado, is located about four miles northwest of the mall.
The tornado struck near the Markland Mall, located on the east side of Kokomo at the intersection of 17th and Reed streets, causing significant damage, including the flattening of a Starbucks coffee shop that abuts the mall.
A large presence of first responders is on-scene at the mall, and there are other reports of significant property damage in other areas, particularly the east side of Kokomo.
The city of Kokomo, the 13th largest city in Indiana with a population of approximately 60,000, is about 50 miles due north of Indianapolis.
Here are some of the first reports on Twitter, including several from many of Clauson’s fellow drivers and other motorsports officials:
WATCH: Video shows an entire Starbucks building collapse and flatten as a tornado moves through Kokomo, Indiana.https://t.co/vFYvxqWZR1
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) August 24, 2016
With the Bryan Clauson celebration of life event @kokomospeedway - tornado warning for the next 5 min pic.twitter.com/0Sw6GgkAXJ
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) August 24, 2016
Into Kokomo for BC Celebration and greeted by this! Didn't we just do this? #IndianaWeather pic.twitter.com/JmxCrN2Yzs
— J. Douglas Boles (@jdouglas4) August 24, 2016
For those at the Bryan Clauson event at Kokomo Speedway...might be a good idea to find some shelter right now. https://t.co/PKnrTXnaNV
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) August 24, 2016
Unbelievable! Just left @kokomospeedway and found an entire Starbucks displaced by tornado! Hope everyone is ok! pic.twitter.com/PR3GwexNb0
— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) August 24, 2016
Hate the devastation in Kokomo this afternoon. We were lucky at the Speedway, huddled in the concession stand and it missed us.
— Pippa Mann (@PippaMann) August 24, 2016
If your around @kokomospeedway https://t.co/Q3lkXfy6Zo
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) August 24, 2016
A full house is on hand this afternoon at Kokomo Speedway for Bryan Clauson's "Celebration of Life." pic.twitter.com/etrWYFuOk7
— USAC Racing (@USACNation) August 24, 2016
Raining here @kokomospeedway. No worries. We're not sweating the small stuff. 💚
— Lauren Stewart (@LaurenStewart9) August 24, 2016
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