Lake County Declares Emergency After Tornadoes Strike

The Lake County Board of Commissioners declared a local disaster emergency on Wednesday as a result of storms that occurred last week. The storms produced five tornadoes: three EF0, one EF2, and one EF3. These tornadoes affected areas including Cedar Lake, Schneider, St. John, Gary, Hobart, and unincorporated parts of Lake County on June 11.

The emergency declaration allows for county services as described in Indiana Code to be activated. This includes all necessary actions to protect lives and property. The declaration mandates that public offices and employees in Lake County demonstrate complete diligence in performing their duties during the emergency. This includes enforcing emergency-related laws and directives.

Board of Commissioners President Michael Repay noted that the declaration complies with state and federal regulations. While it qualifies the county for potential state and federal funds, it does not guarantee the availability of such funding. “Residents and businesses impacted deserve relief, and the Board of Commissioners supports those affected by this disaster,” Repay stated.

Some of the damage from the tornadoes was visible, with silos damaged in Hebron after the storms on June 11. Simultaneously, Porter County is seeking the aid of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) to assess property damages from the storms. IDHS will deploy teams on Thursday to evaluate the extent of destruction. Team members will be identifiable by IDHS apparel and government identification. Accurate assessment data will help establish if the criteria for government assistance are met.

Residents in Lake and Porter counties are urged to report severe storm damage by contacting Indiana 211 at 866-211-9966 or visiting in211.communityos.org. This data will assist the deployed assessment teams. Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.

On the morning after the storms, residents across Northwest Indiana evaluated the damage left by the tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service. 29 tornadoes were reported in the region and Illinois last week. In Northwest Indiana, specific tornado incidents include an EF0 from St. John to Schererville, an EF2 from Merrillville to Hobart, and an EF3 from Hebron to Kouts. An EF3 tornado is known for wind speeds ranging from 136 to 165 mph.

Tragically, the storm aftermath led to the death of a couple from Palos Hills. They succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable generator used due to a power outage in their camper in Portage, as reported by Portage fire officials.