PORTAGE, Ind. () — Communities across Northwest Indiana are beginning to take stock of the damage after severe storms swept through the region Tuesday.
Officials are also examining a deadly house explosion that is now being connected to the intense weather system.
In Portage, residents described the aftermath as unlike anything they have witnessed before, with widespread destruction leaving neighborhoods shaken.
City leaders have issued an emergency declaration as cleanup efforts get underway and investigators work to determine what caused the fatal explosion.
Neighbors reported hearing a powerful blast moments before flames erupted, consuming what remained of the home in a massive fire.
As recovery continues, power remains out in some areas, and residents said they are concerned about the possibility of more storms moving in Wednesday.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun urged drivers to fill up in Illinois if they can, citing local power outages that may affect gas availability.
The Bonner Senior Center at 5800 Lexington Avenue is open to Portage residents who need temporary shelter or a safe place to stay.
The Northwest Health Center on Willowcreek Road is also open for those seeking shelter.
Gov. Braun will join other leaders to assess the storm damage in Hammond on Wednesday at about noon.
Schools in Valparaiso, Crown Point, Hobart and Gary announced they will be closed on Wednesday.
Due to the power outages, Gary Transit service is suspended for Wednesday, including Access219 paratransit service.
In southeastern Indiana, a 4-year-old boy died after a tree fell on her home in Jennings County.
According to the Jennings County Deputy Chief Cody Low, a tree fell on a single-family home in the Geneva Township just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The home was located in a heavily wooded neighborhood.
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