Chicago weather, storm damage: Cleanup continues after EF-2 tornado destroys Merrillville homes, EF-1 damages Bartlett businesses

CHICAGO (WLS) — Recovery efforts are continuing in several communities on Saturday after severe storms this week.

One of the most devastated areas is Merrillville, Indiana, where an EF-2 tornado left a trail of destruction on Thursday.

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At least nine confirmed tornadoes hit the northern Illinois and northwest Indiana areas on Thursday.
– Kouts, Indiana: Preliminary EF-3
– Streator, Illinois: Preliminary EF-3
– Merrillville, Indiana: Preliminary EF-2
– Dwight, Illinois area: Preliminary EF-1
– Bartlett, Illinois: Preliminary EF-1
– Wenona, Illinois: Preliminary EF-1
– St. John, Indiana: Preliminary EF-0
– Cedar Lake, Indiana: Preliminary EF-0
– Schneider, Indiana to Hebron, Indiana area: Preliminary EF-0

The National Weather Service has also conducted surveys of damage for two additional tornadoes just outside the Chicago area.

A survey crew headed to Lake County, Indiana on Saturday to survey the Cedar Lake area and from Schneider northeastward toward Hebron, which is the first half of the rotation path associated with the Kouts tornado.

NWS Chicago said it would possibly have a survey team assess damage in the Hickory Hills/Bridgeview area and the South Side of Chicago on Saturday as well, but those plans were dependent on Saturday’s thunderstorm potential.

Meanwhile, Ald. Michael D. Rodriguez said 10 streets and sanitation crews will be out in the 22nd Ward on Saturday to pick up debris.

SEE ALSO | Couple survives EF-3 tornado in Streator, Illinois, man rescued from collapsed home: VIDEO

Merrillville town leaders say at least 200 homes and buildings were either damaged or destroyed.

Many residents in Merrillville are expressing relief that no one was hurt as cleanup and recovery efforts continue following a tornado that tore through the Northwest Indiana community, with more severe weather still a concern.

Residents like Brandie Griffin are facing another difficult day as they begin to pick up the pieces. Griffin said she has already missed work while dealing with damage to her home.

“I’m exhausted. I’m a store manager. I did missed all these days of work,” Griffin said.

Her home, where she lives with her husband and six children, lost power and sustained significant flooding in the basement – damage she said is not covered by her renters insurance.

“It’s bad. Damaged all of our stuff furniture’s TVs everything,” Griffin said.

Officials confirmed one tornado moved through Merrillville around 7 p.m. Thursday. The National Weather Service classified it as an EF-2 storm, capable of producing winds up to 135 miles per hour.

Authorities say the storm caused extensive damage to hundreds of homes and local structures. Despite the destruction, no serious injuries have been reported.

“We have officers that are working around the clock just to patrol heavily destroyed areas and the northern part of town,” said Assistant Chief Matthew Vasel of the Merrillville Police Department.

The storms left thousands without power. Crews have been working continuously to restore service, and as of Saturday, Northern Indiana Public Service Company reported fewer than 30,000 customers remained without electricity – down from a peak of more than 86,000 immediately after the storm.

“We’ve had over 145 down poles. We had transmission towers lattice structures toppled. We have a lot of downed wires and we have personnel buy that wire watching that wire in certain areas to make sure that the public stays safe,” said Jessica Cantarelli, a communications manager for NIPSCO.

Amid the damage, community groups and businesses are stepping in to help. Strack and Van Til grocery store, owned by Hy-Vee, has been distributing free food, water and ice after getting its location operational again.

“So we’ve got four Hy-Vee vans going around throughout this entire area. they’re delivering ice they’re delivering cases of water food in necessities people have,” said Joe Stupka, the company’s chief operating officer.

Residents say they are relying on each other as they work through the aftermath.

“Just trying to stay up. I can’t work because of this because I can’t leave my kids. We’re just doing the best we can,” Griffin said.

The only open Dominos in town is also stepping in to help. They donated free pizzas to crews who are out helping rebuild in Merrillville.

Officials say anyone in need of assistance is encouraged to contact the Red Cross.

For those in need of a place to stay, Lincoln Community Center in Highland, Indiana is serving as a temporary shelter.

NIPSCO said it projects power will be restored to the majority of Merrillville customers by Tuesday.

Tornado damages Bartlett business corridor, recovery begins

A tornado tore through a business corridor in Bartlett, ripping off roofs, uprooting trees, and destroying a daycare playground, leaving many stores shuttered even as some begin to reopen.

The storm caused significant damage near Stearns Road and Route 59, an area described as one of the hardest hit in town. While several businesses remain closed, illuminated “open” signs have started to reappear in recent days, signaling gradual progress.

“And, then just a boom, I saw everything fly,” said Alex Ramirez, who works in the area.

Nearby Taylor Street Pizza is among the businesses that have reopened after the storm, which was confirmed as an EF-1 tornado that struck Thursday night.

“We’re still here. We’re still providing,” Ramirez said.

Cell phone video from the storm captured the intensity of the winds, with debris swirling through the air and windows shattering inside nearby businesses, including a Wendy’s restaurant. In video from inside the pizza shop, workers can be seen struggling to shut the door as the storm raged outside.

“After everything, it just completely was gone. In just twenty seconds, everything was happened,” Ramirez said. “I didn’t know what to do. I was, like, frozen.”

In the days since, crews have been working along the corridor, clearing debris, and repairing damage. The sounds of chainsaws and construction activity mark the ongoing recovery.

“Really grateful that we’re all still here, and no injuries were caused,” Ramirez said.

The mayor of Bartlett has declared a local state of disaster and said the village is working with affected businesses to help them reopen as quickly as possible. Village officials said crews will continue assessing damage in the area on Monday.

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