A day after tornadoes ripped through Gary, residents and officials alike are continuing to grapple with the devastation left behind. Friday morning marked a slow return to normalcy for many, as utility crews worked tirelessly to restore power and residents sifted through debris.
“It’s tough to look at, but people are doing what they can,” said Ken Patton, a Tolleston neighborhood resident.
“I was lucky, but these are my people,” he said, pointing toward 21st Avenue, the hardest-hit area in Gary. Patton said his property wasn’t damaged, but he was hurt and sad to see what happened to his neighbors.
“We’re regular folks working to make it,” he said. “You never know how long it will take people to rebound.”
According to the National Weather Service, three separate tornadoes touched down in Gary during Wednesday night’s storms. The Tolleston, Black Oak, and Emerson neighborhoods were hit particularly hard, with the most substantial damage reported in Tolleston.
Streets that were once impassable are now mostly clear, as city workers and volunteers moved felled trees and broken limbs to the sides of the road. Utility poles that once blocked driveways or crashed onto homes have been cleared or restored to their original positions.
NIPSCO reported Friday that power has been restored to approximately 98% of affected customers in Gary. Still, about 250 customers remain without electricity, with full restoration expected by 7 p.m.
Friday morning, NIPSCO workers were abundant, cranes lifted toward the sky as crews worked on power lines. Men stood on rooftops, hammering and replacing shingles.
There have been no reports of missing persons or fatalities, and all residents are accounted for, said Deputy Fire Chief Mark Terry. The mayor of Hobart, Josh Huddleston, sent a public works team to assist Gary’s cleanup efforts, removing fallen trees and hauling away debris.
“It takes a village,” Huddleston said in a Facebook post about efforts to assist Gary.
At the newly renovated Monroe Center at 4101 Washington St., shelter workers were prepared to assist any residents impacted by the tornadoes. Shelter employee Kayla Gates recalled how she received a call Wednesday night and drove through inclement weather to open the shelter. When she arrived, families were already waiting, including a single mother with her four children.
Chalise Gains, the shelter manager, said staff remain ready to support anyone who needs help.
“We’re here waiting to help,” she said.
The shelter, which operates from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., is staffed with a security guard and provides two meals, one when people arrive and another in the morning. The space has several bathrooms, showers, televisions, couches, and separate sleeping rooms for men, women, and women with children. It also has a laundry room where staff wash clothes for those staying overnight.
The Calumet Township Trustee’s office also stepped up, providing emergency food assistance, cleanup kits, and temporary daytime shelter for affected residents.
Residents needing assistance with fallen trees are encouraged to call the city at (219) 881-1311, while those who want to report downed power lines should contact NIPSCO at (800) 464-7726. The city is urging residents to remain cautious as cleanup efforts continue.
Moving forward, it will take time for the city to recover, Patton said.
“Everyone made it out with their life. That’s a good thing,” he said, before pausing for a few seconds.
“Don’t just pray for Gary. Help. See if people need water, clothes. Donate. Do something.”