Northwest Indiana Hit by Severe Tornadoes

On Thursday night, Justin White was driving home to the 900 block of S 475 W near Hebron with his son, Gavin, after picking him up from a friend’s house. As they raced away from an approaching funnel cloud, Gavin asked, “Are we going home with that?” White replied, “Yeah. We got to go get your mom.” He pulled onto his lawn, parked near the house, and they rushed inside. Gavin went to the basement with his mother. White captured a five-second video clip before windows blew out, forcing him to join his son in the basement.

Residents across Northwest Indiana are assessing damage after tornadoes swept through, following similar destruction in Illinois. The National Weather Service confirmed no fatalities, but a semi driver was injured in Merrillville. An EF3 tornado, with winds between 136 and 165 mph, caused significant damage in the Kouts area. Weather service crews surveyed damage in Merrillville, Hebron, Kouts, and nearby locations.

Power was a large concern. NIPSCO reported 52,603 customers without power by Friday afternoon, down from 86,640. This storm followed Wednesday’s, which affected 21,500 customers. Restoration times were unavailable due to extensive damage. Customers in heavily impacted areas may be without power for more than a day.

Scott Pelath, executive director of the Kankakee and Yellow River Basin Development Commission, was inspecting river channels for debris. Rainfall levels reached up to six times the norm in the past week, but major flooding along the Kankakee River is not anticipated, although cleanup is necessary.

Damage in South Porter County

South Porter County faced severe damage, particularly along Baums Bridge Road and Ind. 49 in Kouts. In Hebron, farm properties suffered. Justin White’s property was significantly impacted despite precautions like a recently installed high-wind roof. A tree trunk smashed his car shortly after he and his son took shelter. The adjacent shop owned by White’s friend, Ryan Kats, also faced losses, including an irrigation pivot.

Neighbor Edward Schrey remarked on how the winds seemed to follow the Kankakee River, noting that while his property was unscathed, past storms had caused extensive tree loss in the area.

Porter County Sheriff Jeff Balon thanked emergency responders and community members for their efforts. He stated there were no fatalities, and extra officers are monitoring the affected areas for safety and potential scams or looters.

Merrillville Impact

In Merrillville, residents battled heavy home damage. Maria Williams tearfully described the devastation of her family home. After suspecting a tornado, her children took shelter with a neighbor, and Maria rushed home, arriving in darkness. By daylight, the extent of the damage was clear, leaving her in shock.

Andrean High School suffered major damage. Director of facilities, James Myers, discovered the destruction during a late-night return to the campus. He spent hours clearing debris with the assistance of a retired employee.

The Diocese of Gary is evaluating the school’s needs in light of ongoing renovation plans prompted by a large donation. Merrillville officials reported over 200 damaged buildings but no injuries beyond a minor injury from a flipped semi-truck.

Residents needing aid can contact the American Red Cross and local township offices. A temporary shelter has been set up in Highland.

Lake County officers responded to many calls regarding the storm and assisted Merrillville Police in checking on residents. They also aided in vehicle assistance during the storm.

Portage and Transit Effects

Portage saw widespread tree damage and flooding. Emergency services and utility workers responded overnight to clear streets and address utilities like the wastewater treatment plant, which suffered damage to solar panels.

The storm disrupted transit systems. South Shore Line service was halted overnight. Passengers were transported using various means, ensuring everyone reached their destinations. Gary Public Transportation Corp. temporarily suspended some services due to closed roads and power line issues.