Tornadoes Strike Illinois and Indiana, Causing Damage and Power Outages

At least seven confirmed tornadoes swept through Illinois and Northwest Indiana on Thursday night. Among them was an EF3 tornado hitting Kouts, as reported by the National Weather Service. Merrillville experienced an EF2 tornado, while St. John saw an EF0 event. Tornadoes also impacted several Illinois communities including an EF3 in Streator, an EF1 from Graymont to Dwight, and another EF1 in Bartlett.

During the storm, rotating clouds were seen over St. John’s Bramblewood subdivision on June 11, 2026. This marks the second instance in three months of such severe tornado activity in the area, following a tornado in Lake Village, Newton County in March. An EF3 tornado’s wind speeds range from 136 to 165 mph, assessed based on ground damage. The Enhanced Fujita scale classifies tornadoes from EF0, starting at 65 mph, to EF5, which exceeds 200 mph, according to Leanne Blind-Doskocil, a staff meteorologist and adjunct faculty member at Valparaiso University.

Most tornadoes, about 77%, are rated EF1 or lower. Almost all tornadoes, 95%, are rated below EF3 intensity; tornadoes as strong as EF3 are uncommon. Ratings for Thursday’s tornadoes are preliminary. The weather service will continue damage assessments in areas including southern Lake County and multiple places south of the Kankakee River.

NIPSCO reported that as of early Saturday afternoon, 29,148 customers were without power, down from a peak of 86,640 immediately following the storms. Estimated restoration times varied, including midnight Saturday for Hammond and Crown Point, 11 p.m. Sunday for Plymouth, and 6 p.m. Tuesday for Gary, Goshen, and Merrillville. Residents can report outages to NIPSCO via text, online, or through their mobile app.

The Pleasant Township Trustee’s Office announced in a Facebook post that First Presbyterian Church in Kouts is collecting donations from Sunday to Wednesday for affected individuals. Drop-off times are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., with needed items including gas cards, bottled water, hygiene, and cleaning products.

Residents of Lake and Porter County are encouraged to report storm damage to the Indiana 211 website or by calling 866-211-9966. This will help the Indiana Department of Homeland Security assess and prioritize disaster recovery efforts.

Andrean High School in Merrillville suffered significant damage. Officials expressed gratitude for community support, stating insurance representatives and contractors are evaluating the situation. They will provide further updates on the school’s recovery process. Donations can be made through the school’s official website.

Merrillville officials advised those needing assistance to contact the American Red Cross or the Ross Township Trustee’s Office. The Red Cross has opened a shelter with 700 beds at the Lincoln Center in Highland, while the Ross Township Trustee’s Office accepts donations of clothing, toiletries, and food. They are open Saturday and Sunday for those needing supplies.

The Salvation Army distributed blankets, health kits, and cleaning supplies at 7201 Taft St. Meanwhile, Strack and Van Til provided free meals to residents at 61st and Broadway until 5 p.m. Saturday. Volunteers from Hy-Vee also offered meals and supplies in affected areas.

Humane Indiana announced support via Facebook for those needing assistance with pet care due to the storms. Impacted residents can reach out via email for assistance.