Tornadoes Cause Widespread Damage Across Northwest Indiana

Frantic Moments as Tornadoes Hit

Justin White was driving home with his son, Gavin, when they found themselves racing a tornado back to their house in Hebron. “Are we going home with that?” Gavin asked. “Yeah,” White replied. “We got to go get your mom.” White drove directly onto their lawn and parked near the house to quickly get indoors. Gavin joined his mother in the basement, while White captured a brief video from the main level before the storm blew out the windows. He quickly joined them in the basement.

Damage and Power Outages

The National Weather Service confirmed several tornadoes struck the region, with an EF3 tornado causing significant damage in Kouts. Gusts reached 76 mph in Town of Pines and 56 mph in Ogden Dunes. By Friday afternoon, NIPSCO reported that 52,603 customers were still without power, down from 86,640. Due to extensive damage, full restoration of power was expected to take more than a day in some areas.

Efforts Underway to Clear Debris

Scott Pelath of the Kankakee River Basin Commission was checking rivers for debris that could lead to flooding, although major flooding is not anticipated. South Porter County experienced significant damage, with homes severely damaged or destroyed. Justin White’s roof held despite the storm’s force, but other structures did not fare as well.

Community Rallies Together

White’s neighbor Ryan Kats lost machinery in the storm but was hopeful for recovery. Neighbors and friends, like Edward Schrey, helped clear debris despite their own challenges. Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon expressed gratitude that no fatalities occurred and praised the efforts of responders and volunteers who stepped up to assist.

Impact in Merrillville

In Merrillville, Maria Williams found her family home heavily damaged. She returned home to find significant destruction, despite no personal injuries reported. Her 20-year-old daughter and younger brother managed to find shelter during the storm. Andrean High School in Merrillville also sustained heavy damage, affecting classrooms and facilities.

Community Support and Rebuilding

The Diocese of Gary is assessing damage at Andrean High School and planning future renovations. On a larger scale, 200 buildings suffered damage in Merrillville, with officials urging those affected to seek help from the American Red Cross and local support offices.

Portage Faces Challenges

Portage experienced significant flooding and tree damage, particularly north of Central Avenue. Despite widespread outages, city services worked to clear roads. The storm’s path was visible in the damage left behind.

Transportation Disruptions

The South Shore Line and Gary Public Transportation Corp. faced service disruptions due to downed power lines and other damage. Yet, efforts were made to transport passengers safely to their destinations.