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player ready...The Lake County Board of Commissioners approved a local disaster emergency declaration Wednesday following last week’s storms.
Five tornadoes – three EF0, one EF2 and one EF3 – hit Cedar Lake, Schneider, St. John, Gary, Hobart and unincorporated areas of Lake County on June 11, according to the declaration.
The declaration directs that county services that can be offered under Indiana Code in response to an emergency “be in full force and effect in the County for the exercise of all necessary emergency authority for protection of the lives and property of the people of this county.”
“All public offices and employees of Lake County are hereby directed to exercise the utmost diligence in the discharge of duties required of them for the duration of the emergency and in execution of emergency laws, regulations and directives – state and local,” the declaration states.
Board of Commissioners President Michael Repay said the declaration was made following state and federal rules. The declaration makes the county eligible for state and federal funds, but it doesn’t ensure funding, he said.
“The people and businesses affected are due relief, and the Board of Commissioners stand with the victims of this natural disaster,” Repay said.
In Porter County, the Porter County Emergency Management Agency has requested the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s assistance in conducting damage assessments of properties throughout Porter County from the storms on June 11.
IDHS teams will be in Porter County on Thursday to survey damage. Personnel will wear IDHS clothing and carry government credentials to identify themselves.
Collecting assessment data helps IDHS and Porter County determine if thresholds that trigger government assistance have been met.
Residents of Lake and Porter counties are still encouraged to contact Indiana 211 at 866-211-
9966 or by going to in211.communityos.org to report severe storm damage.
Data collected from 211 will be used by the damage assessment teams being deployed. Agricultural damage should be reported to the Purdue Extension.
Residents throughout Northwest Indiana woke up Friday morning assessing damage after the National Weather Service confirmed tornadoes swept through the area and in Illinois, leaving thousands of people without power.
At least 29 tornadoes ripped across Illinois and Northwest Indiana last week, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service. In Northwest Indiana, an EF0 tornado traveled from St. John to Schererville; an EF2 went from Merrillville to Hobart; an EF0 struck Cedar Lake; an EF0 traveled from Schneider to Hebron; and an EF3 tornado made its way from Hebron to Kouts.
An EF3 tornado has estimated wind speeds between 136 and 165 mph.
In the aftermath of Thursday night’s storm, a Palos Hills couple died after a portable generator filled their camper in Portage. The couple used the generator after losing power in the storm, according to Portage fire officials.
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