Cleanup underway after 3 tornadoes strike Gary, causing widespread damage, power outages

GARY, Ind. - Cleanup efforts are in full swing after severe storms swept through the Chicagoland area, causing widespread damage and power outages.

The National Weather Service confirmed that three tornadoes swept through Gary, Indiana, tearing roofs off homes and a school while leaving thousands without power.

What we know:

The tornadoes hit Wednesday night, causing significant damage throughout Gary:

• EF-0 in southwestern Gary near 29th Avenue and Burr Street.
• EF-1 in southwestern Gary near McCullough Academy and the neighborhood east of Wallace Street at 21st Avenue.
• EF-0 near the Gary business district.

"We have dozens of families that have been displaced…roofs have been torn off," said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton.

One of the hardest-hit areas was 21st Street, where power lines and poles fell across multiple homes. Crews have been working all day to remove downed lines and restore electricity.

"Probably wasn’t a good two minutes – came and went," said one resident.

At its peak, the storm caused about 13,000 outages across northwest Indiana. As of now, utility company NIPSCO has reduced that number to roughly 900.

"Every other like 30-20 seconds, it sounded different to me….like real loud rumbling. You could hear things being tossed," said Jimeeka, who lives nearby.

One of the most visible signs of the storm’s impact is at McCullough Academy, where the roof over the gymnasium was torn off. The school, located at 21st and Wallace, is closed for the rest of the week.

Despite the extensive damage, Gary officials confirmed that everyone was accounted for after the storm. One woman was rescued after her home’s roof collapsed, trapping her inside. She was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

What's next:

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton says the damage is widespread, with dozens of families displaced and businesses affected by wind damage, flooding, and fallen trees. A shelter is open for affected residents at the Monroe Center, located at 4101 Washington Street.

In response to the tornadoes and aftermath, the mayor issued an executive order Thursday evening.

The local disaster emergency declaration will remain in place until the situation is stabilized and public safety is no longer at risk.

Power restoration efforts continue, and cleanup crews are clearing debris across the city.