Seven confirmed tornadoes affected Illinois and Northwest Indiana on Thursday. The National Weather Service confirmed this, highlighting an EF3 tornado in Kouts. Merrillville faced an EF2 tornado, while an EF0 impacted St. John. Other tornadoes were reported in Streator, Graymont to Dwight, and Bartlett, with varying intensities.
The Bramblewood subdivision in St. John, Indiana, witnessed rotating storm clouds on June 11, 2026. This marks second occurrence in three months where an EF3 tornado struck, following a previous event in March in Lake Village, Newton County. According to expert Leanne Blind-Doskocil, EF3 tornadoes reach speeds between 136 and 165 mph, assessed by ground damage.
The Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale ranges from 0 to 5, with EF0 starting at 65 mph and EF5 exceeding 200 mph. Most are rated EF1 or lower, with about 95% below EF3 intensity, as noted by Blind-Doskocil.
The ratings for Thursday’s tornadoes remain preliminary. Further assessments are expected, especially in southern Lake County and areas south of the Kankakee River.
NIPSCO reported 29,148 customers were without power by Saturday afternoon, a decrease from the 86,640 initially affected. Power restoration times varied among communities: midnight for Hammond and Crown Point, late Sunday for Plymouth, late Monday for Monticello, Valparaiso, La Porte, and Angola, and early Tuesday for Gary, Goshen, and Merrillville.
For power outage reports, residents can engage with NIPSCO via text, online, or through their mobile app.
Pleasant Township Trust announced collection of donations at First Presbyterian Church in Kouts from Sunday to Wednesday, targeting items like gas cards, bottled water, hygiene, and cleaning products. Meanwhile, residents of Lake and Porter County should contact Indiana 211 to report storm damage, aiding the Department of Homeland Security in damage evaluation.
Andrean High School, severely hit in Merrillville, expressed gratitude for community support. Insurance agents and contractors have begun assessing the damage. Further updates are promised soon. Contributions to support the school can be made on their official website.
Those needing assistance can contact the American Red Cross or the Ross Township Trustee’s Office. The Red Cross has set up a shelter in Highland, accepting donations of clothing, toiletries, and food at the Ross Township Trustee’s Office.
Additionally, on Saturday, the Salvation Army distributed blankets and health kits, while local businesses and organizations provided meals and more to affected areas. Humane Indiana offered pet care support to those impacted by the storms.
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