PORTAGE, Ind. (WLS) — A devastating event struck northwest Indiana on Tuesday as a house in Portage exploded during storms severe enough to trigger tornado alerts across the Chicago area, resulting in one fatality.
The tragic explosion occurred near the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Jefferson Street in Portage. The arrival of first responders faced delays as they navigated through extensive storm debris, hazardous conditions, and significant damage.
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Authorities continue to investigate the explosion’s origins, suspecting a weather-related cause. During a press conference later that day, police noted the presence of gas leaks within the city.
In response to the destruction, Portage’s mayor declared a state of emergency, prompting evacuations due to numerous downed power lines. A recovery center was swiftly set up at City Hall, located at 6070 Central Ave.
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Local authorities in Portage have urged residents to stay off roads to allow emergency and utility crews to work unhindered and ensure the safety of the area.
The storm wreaked havoc on the landscape, flattening numerous trees across Portage. In Gary, residents observed a massive fallen tree ablaze at 29th Place and Gerry Street.
Due to the adverse weather, the Gary Community School Corporation will remain closed on Wednesday as they assess the conditions of school facilities.
Similarly, Duneland School Corporation canceled the scheduled first school day on Wednesday, citing substantial storm damage that rendered roads impassable and caused widespread power outages and flooding.
DSC cited “severe storm damage throughout the community, including impassable roads, power outages, and flooding.”
Notifications regarding ongoing developments will be available on the Town of Chesterton’s official Facebook page.
In the vicinity of Lowell, Indiana, an overturned semi-truck obstructed portions of Interstate 65, worsening the traffic situation.
Further compounding travel issues, Interstate 65 remains closed in both directions north of I-94 because of fallen power lines.
An ABC7 viewer, Maryanne Reid from Highland, captured footage of roof repair Styrofoam flying over vehicles, showing the chaos brought by the storms. Some cars stayed buried with shattered windows as Reid and her team sought shelter.
Some cars were still buried with their windows damaged on Tuesday afternoon. Reid said she and her coworkers ran for cover.
“That weather came in, it just it just ripped it all off,” she said. “This is probably the most intense storm I saw.”
In Lake Station, Indiana, a neighborhood faced significant damage, with residents expressing gratitude for their safety. “It’s a blessing my loved ones weren’t home,” shared Kelly Hounshell, describing how a tree devastated their house from back to front.
“I was glad that they weren’t here, because probably a death would have happened,” said Kelly Hounshell. “The whole house is destroyed. The tree went from the back all the way through the front, the kitchen, living room, and the bathroom, and that’s where they spend most of their time while they’re here is in the living room and in the kitchen. So, I’m just glad that they weren’t here.”
Amid the wreckage, multiple pets were rescued, including two puppies found unharmed, bringing moments of relief amidst the turmoil.
In Munster, local officials are evaluating storm damages, urging residents to exercise caution and report fallen power lines promptly to NIPSCO at 1-800-464-7726.
Munster officials asked residents to report downed power lines to NIPSCO at 1-800-464-7726.
Public Works teams in Munster are collaborating with the police to assess the damages, embarking on necessary repairs to restore normalcy.
The National Weather Service plans to deploy survey teams to evaluate the impact across southern Cook County in Illinois and Indiana’s Lake and Porter counties.
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