Tornado devastates homes and school in Gary, Indiana

On March 19, 2025, severe storms struck several areas in the Midwest, particularly impacting Gary, Indiana, where a suspected tornado caused extensive damage. The storms resulted in seven homes suffering from severe roof damage, with one resident, Perkins, finding her roof displaced onto her neighbor’s house. In addition to residential damage, strong winds and the suspected tornado compromised the roof of Frankie Woods McCullough Academy, a local public school, damaging classrooms and the gymnasium. Thankfully, no students were in immediate danger since the storm occurred after school hours. The city of Gary is collaborating with the American Red Cross to assist displaced residents by providing shelter. The Monroe Center has been designated as an emergency shelter for people who have lost their homes due to the adverse weather conditions. City officials are aware that the damage may keep residents displaced for an extended period, prompting discussions about future planning and repairs. Highland, Indiana, a nearby suburb, also experienced devastating damage from the storms, reporting numerous downed trees, some landing on houses. This led to emergency evacuations and concerns over the safety of the homes affected. Additionally, winds registered at astounding speeds, reaching up to 91 mph in some areas, causing further disruption and damage. People reported frantic situations; one individual recalled her vehicle being lifted off the ground by the force of the winds. As a result of these storms, ten million people remained under winter weather advisories, and many states, including Nebraska, reported significant blizzard conditions. The system that caused such destruction in Indiana and neighboring areas was moving eastward, bringing potential rainfall and continuing threats of storms across eastern states. Emergency responders warned residents about the hazardous conditions and urged caution amidst the chaos following the severe weather events.