Severe Storms Hit Northwest Indiana with Tornado Warnings and Damage Reports

CHICAGO — Severe storms swept through northwest Indiana on Wednesday, leading to multiple Tornado Warnings and weather alerts across the region.

The tempest stirred up a state of alarm among residents and meteorologists alike, with the National Weather Service predicting severe thunderstorms from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The storm produced strong winds, heavy rain, and hail, prompting officials to issue various warnings.

In Lake County, Indiana, residents expressed concern after experiencing widespread damage just days prior in Highland. “I just hope that we take climate change serious, because that’s part of the reason we’re seeing a lot of this extreme weather,” said Mary Archer of Munster.

Flooding occurred in several areas, particularly Calumet City, where streets became inundated, stranding vehicles and making roads impassable. The Indiana State Police shared images on social media of five semi-trucks that overturned due to strong gusts along I-65 south of Lowell, although fortunately, no injuries were reported.

A Tornado Warning was in effect for LaPorte County until 7 p.m., and residents were urged to seek shelter immediately. Jasper County also faced a Tornado Warning until 6:30 p.m., along with an extended Severe Thunderstorm Warning. The forecast indicated potential wind gusts of up to 60 mph and hail the size of half dollars.

Several counties, including Will, Grundy, Kankakee, and Porter, were placed under a Tornado Watch until 10 p.m. CT. Additionally, the FAA reported delays at Chicago O’Hare International Airport increasing to an average of 141 minutes due to the storms.

Numerous reports of severe weather continued throughout the afternoon, with emergency responders assessing storm damage and conducting safety checks in affected areas. The National Weather Service noted that the primary threat was situated southeast of Chicago, phasing out by the evening.

Fox 32 Chief Meteorologist Emily Wahls confirmed an increased risk of severe weather impacting the Chicagoland area and urged residents to remain vigilant throughout the day. Advice included seeking shelter in basements and interior rooms away from windows in case of tornado conditions.

As forecasts predicted a return of rain on Thursday, local officials encouraged residents to prepare for further severe weather following Wednesday’s storms. The possibility of additional storms was expected into the weekend, reiterating the necessity of weather readiness in the region.