Merrillville, Indiana EF-2 Tornado Destroys Homes as Severe Storms Spark Damage Across Illinois

Recovery efforts were still underway Saturday in several communities hit by this week’s severe storms, with Merrillville, Indiana, among the hardest hit.

Town officials said an EF-2 tornado tore through Merrillville on Thursday, carving a destructive path across the south side of the northwest Indiana city.

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At least 200 homes and other buildings were damaged or destroyed, according to local leaders. In the storm’s wake, crews and residents have been dealing with downed trees, fallen power lines, scattered debris and flooding.

Despite the widespread damage, officials said there have been no reports of serious injuries so far. In neighborhoods across Merrillville, residents have been leaning on one another as cleanup and rebuilding begin.

Local businesses are also pitching in. The town’s only open Domino’s donated free pizzas to crews working to help the community recover.

The only open Dominos in town is also stepping in to help. They donated free pizzas to crews who are out helping rebuild in Merrillville.

For those in need of a place to stay, Lincoln Community Center in Highland, Indiana is serving as a temporary shelter.

At seven confirmed tornadoes hit the Chicago area on Thursday.
– Kouts, Indiana: Preliminary EF-3
– Streator, Illinois: Preliminary EF-3
– Merrillville, Indiana: Preliminary EF-2
– Dwight, Illinois area: Preliminary EF-1
– Bartlett, Illinois: Preliminary EF-1
– Wenona, Illinois: Preliminary EF-1
– St. John, Indiana: Preliminary EF-0

The National Weather Service has completed surveys of damage for the EF-1 tornadoes in Bartlett and Wenona.

A survey crew is expected to head to Lake County, Indiana on Saturday to survey the Cedar Lake area and from Schneider northeastward toward Hebron, which is the first half of the rotation path associated with the Kouts tornado.

NWS Chicago may have a survey team assess damage in the Hickory Hills/Bridgeview area and the South Side of Chicago on Saturday as well, but those plans may be dependent on Saturday’s thunderstorm potential.

Meanwhile, Ald. Michael D. Rodriguez said 10 streets and sanitation crews will be out in the 22nd Ward on Saturday to pick up debris.

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