In Merrillville, Indiana, Joe and Marlene Trevino have returned to their devastated home, sifting through the remnants left by a powerful tornado that struck the area a week ago. The experience has left them not only in shock but also filled with apprehension about what the future might hold.
Their once cherished yard, a symbol of their shared life, is now a scene of ruin, bearing the scars of an EF-2 tornado that swept through with little warning.
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“It’s hard to wrap our heads around it every time we see the damage,” Joe Trevino remarked. “This was where we built our life, our home.”
The tornado’s fury was unleashed within moments. As the storm loomed, the couple quickly realized the imminent threat.
“A fully grown bush, at least five feet tall, flew past a tree right before our eyes,” Joe recalled. “That’s when I knew we had to move, and fast!”
The couple grabbed their dog, Roger, and ran to the lowest level of their home, barely making it in time.
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“As we were going down the stairs, we could see daylight in the home, so the roof was already coming on, so we’re lucky to be alive,” Trevino said.
“It was tough. We just wanted to be alive. We were just hugging each other, and you know, praying to God that we’re going to be alive,” he added.
After the storm passed, Marlene Trevino recorded their first look at the damage-capturing a home without a roof and a lifetime of memories gone.
“I came out of our garage, and all the debris are all over, and I can’t believe our house is gone just like that, you know? I’m just under three minutes– gone,” she said.
For the family, the loss is compounded by financial strain. Trevino, a BP refinery worker in Whiting, has been without a paycheck since March amid a labor dispute.
“Things were tough and tight as it was, and then now we got this,” he said.
Despite everything, the couple says they are focused on what remains.
“At the end of the day, it’s stuff. Me and her, and the dog are alive, so we’re blessed,” Trevino said.
Officials say the storm’s impact has also led to tragedy elsewhere. A couple from Palos Hills survived the storm while in Portage but later died from carbon monoxide poisoning after using a portable generator.
With more storms expected, officials urge residents to use generators safely-keeping them at least 20 feet from homes and ensuring carbon monoxide alarms are installed on every level.
A GoFundMe for the Trevinos can be found here.
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