Thousands of Lake County residents remained without electricity Wednesday as communities across Northwest Indiana began assessing widespread damage from powerful storms that toppled trees and utility lines, blocked roads and trails and left large portions of the region in the dark.
The destructive weather swept through the area Tuesday, August 11, with high winds, heavy rain and tornado activity reported as the storm system moved across Northwest Indiana. Gary, East Chicago, Hammond and Munster were among the communities where officials reported significant damage.
NIPSCO reported more than 270,000 customers without power as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, while crews worked to assess damage and begin what could be an extensive restoration effort.
The utility described the storm as the most destructive ever to strike its service territory, causing historic damage to the electric system and producing its largest outage event.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Department urged residents to use extreme caution as emergency crews, utility workers and local officials continued surveying damaged areas Wednesday.
“Our first priority is the safety of the residents of Lake County,” Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said. “We know many people are dealing with power outages, blocked roadways and significant storm damage.”
Martinez said emergency personnel, utility workers and other public safety crews were responding as quickly as possible.
“Please be patient, stay alert and, most importantly, do not put yourself or others in danger by traveling through areas affected by downed trees, power lines or flooding,” he said.
The damage extended beyond residential streets and major roadways.
In Merrillville, several large fallen trees blocked portions of the Erie Lackawanna Trail between Johnson Street and 73rd Avenue. Another section was blocked approximately one-half mile south of 93rd Avenue.
Wicker Memorial Park in Highland was closed Wednesday morning because of downed trees.
Authorities warned that fallen power lines may be concealed underneath tree limbs and other storm debris. Residents should never assume a downed wire is safe simply because it does not appear to be energized.
Drivers also were warned not to attempt to travel through flooded streets.
Water covering a roadway can be deeper or moving faster than it appears, officials said.
The severe weather threat was not necessarily over.
The National Weather Service warned of the possibility of additional severe storms Wednesday. Lake County was under a severe thunderstorm watch
Wednesday morning, raising concerns that additional high winds, heavy rainfall and lightning could complicate cleanup and power restoration efforts.
The storms were part of a larger severe-weather outbreak that struck portions of Indiana Tuesday. The National Weather Service reported multiple rounds of severe weather, including a cluster of strong to severe storms that moved through northern portions of the state.
Residents were encouraged to keep cellphones and other electronic devices charged whenever electricity becomes available, although authorities cautioned that cellular service could also be affected by damage to towers and other infrastructure.
The Sheriff’s Department asked residents to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly around fallen trees, utility poles and power lines, and to give emergency responders and utility crews enough room to work safely.
Officials also encouraged residents to check on older neighbors, people with medical conditions and others who may need assistance during prolonged power outages.
Residents should call 911 when emergency assistance is required and continue monitoring official weather forecasts and emergency alerts.
With cleanup underway and the possibility of more storms, authorities urged Lake County residents to remain weather-aware and seek shelter immediately if severe weather again threatens their communities.