Deadly Indiana Storm
Portage Home Explosion Kills One as Severe Storms Cause Widespread Damage and Major Power Outages
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Key Points
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Power outages surged to more than 250,000 NIPSCO customers without electricity, with Schererville reported as losing power entirely.
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Major roadways were blocked and impassable due to debris and hazards, including Interstate 65 closed in both directions north of I-94 because of downed power lines.
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Portage declared a local emergency, activated its Emergency Operating Center, and evacuated residents; Portage Township School Corporation canceled the first day of school amid the damage.
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The Portage explosion occurred in the 6600 block of Harrison Avenue, killing one person; investigators have not yet determined the cause or whether it was related to the storm, with aerial footage illustrating the destroyed home.
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A separate fatal house explosion was reported in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota; the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office said one person was killed and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal will investigate the incident.
A house explosion killed one person in Portage, Indiana, on Tuesday as severe storms tore through northwest Indiana, leaving "catastrophic" damage across the region, according to NBC Chicago. The blast leveled a home in the 6600 block of Harrison Avenue, near the corner of Harrison Avenue and Jefferson Street. Investigators have not yet determined the cause or whether the explosion was linked to the storm.
Portage's mayor declared a local emergency and activated the city's Emergency Operating Center in response, according to Head Topics. More than 250,000 NIPSCO customers lost power. Major roads shut down. And the first day of school in Portage was canceled before it ever began.
Explosion Levels Home on Harrison Avenue, One Dead
The Portage Fire Department responded to a fire and possible explosion at a home in the 6600 block of Harrison Avenue, NBC Chicago reported. The blast leveled the structure. Aerial footage showed little left standing. One person was killed. No additional victims have been identified.
Investigators are still working to determine what caused the explosion, according to CBS News. It is not yet clear whether the storm triggered the blast. Officials have not ruled anything out. The investigation is ongoing.
Portage Declares Emergency, Schools Cancel Classes
Portage's mayor issued a local emergency proclamation after the explosion and storm damage. The city activated its Emergency Operating Center. Staff were directed to focus on emergency duties. Residents near the blast site were evacuated, Head Topics reported.
The Portage Township School Corporation canceled the first day of school because of the damage. Power lines were down across the city. Roads were blocked. Officials coordinated the recovery effort through the Emergency Operating Center as crews worked to clear hazards.
250,000 Without Power as Roads Shut Down Across Region
The storms knocked out power for more than 250,000 NIPSCO customers across northwest Indiana. Schererville lost power entirely. Downed power lines forced the closure of Interstate 65 in both directions north of I-94, according to NBC Chicago. Debris and stranded vehicles blocked other major routes.
Utility crews worked to repair outages and remove hazards. The scale of the damage made it a slow process. Officials described the destruction across the region as widespread and severe. Residents were urged to stay off the roads while clearing efforts continued.
Deadly Explosion Also Reported in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota
The storm system produced deadly consequences beyond Indiana. A separate house explosion in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, killed one person, according to Head Topics. The Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office confirmed the fatality. The Minnesota State Fire Marshal will investigate the cause of that blast.
The two deadly explosions — hundreds of miles apart — highlight the storm system's broad and destructive reach. In both cases, investigators are working to determine whether the storms played a direct role. No further details about the Minnesota victim have been released.
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