Indiana Officials: Loss of Life Could Have Been Worse

Officials are crediting southern Indiana residents' preparations and attentions to weather warnings with preventing a larger loss of life in the tornado-devastated region.

The death toll remained at 14 Saturday, though two Ripley County residents and a toddler from Washington County remained hospitalized in critical condition.

Gov. Mitch Daniels toured hard-hit Henryville the day after a tornado ravaged the town. He says the fact that so many people survived such a terrible storm is "merciful.''

Indiana State Police Sgt. Jerry Goodin says people prepare the best they can, but he questions how anyone could prepare for devastation like that wreaked by Friday's storm.

Daniels issued disaster declarations for Clark, Gibson, Harrison, Jefferson, Posey, Ripley, Scott, Shelby, Vanderburgh, Warrick and Washington counties.