MERRILLVILLE — A tornado-warned storm caused significant damage across portions of Lake County Thursday evening, with Merrillville appearing to be the hardest-hit community in the region.

The storm was first observed near State Line Road as it moved through the St. John area before tracking northeast toward Schererville. As it continued into Merrillville, multiple witnesses reported seeing a stovepipe tornado near 61st Avenue and Broadway. Preliminary reports indicate the tornado crossed Broadway near Andrean High School, leaving a path of destruction through the area.

Among the most significant damage reported were roofs torn from buildings at the Edgewood Apartments located behind Andrean High School. Numerous homes throughout the 61st Avenue corridor were damaged, with some totally destroyed. Extensive damage to trees, power lines, and utility poles has left many streets impassable, while flooding has also contributed to road closures throughout the community.

Emergency responders from numerous local, county, state, and mutual aid agencies quickly descended on the area. A command center was established near 61st Avenue and Cleveland Street as crews began search, rescue, damage assessment, and roadway clearing operations. Officials said assistance has even arrived from neighboring Illinois agencies.

According to officials, St. John experienced primarily tree damage, while Schererville largely avoided major impacts as the tornado reportedly tracked just outside town limits. Hobart reported trees down on homes and scattered property damage, but not the widespread structural damage seen in Merrillville.

At this time, only minor injuries have been reported. However, search efforts and damage assessments remain ongoing, and many areas remain inaccessible to emergency crews.

The Town of Merrillville is urging residents to avoid damaged areas and stay clear of downed utility lines and damaged utility poles, which pose serious safety hazards. Residents should call 911 for emergencies and use the town’s non-emergency service channels to report downed trees, roadway obstructions, and flooding concerns.

Andrean High School Sustains Significant Damage

Andrean High School also suffered substantial storm damage. School officials reported major roof damage, downed power lines, fallen trees, and broken glass across the campus.

Officials have asked the public to stay away from school property while damage assessments and safety mitigation efforts continue. All campus activities have been suspended or moved off-site until further notice.

Fortunately, no students, staff, or community members were on campus when the storm struck, and no injuries were reported at the school.

“Andrean is a special and sacred place for so many of us. The damage incurred by this storm is devastating and hits us in a very personal way. But we’ve always known that Andrean is about people, not infrastructure,” school officials said in a statement.

The school also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support and asked for continued prayers as recovery efforts begin.

Local officials are working to coordinate assistance for affected residents, including potential shelter and relief resources through the Red Cross and other partner agencies. Additional information is expected as damage assessments continue through the night and into Friday.

The Red Cross is setting up a shelter at the Lincoln Center in Highland.

A second large stove pipe tornado tracked south of this one which started near the State Line & Kankakee River tracking NE through Kouts, Hebron area all the way to the La Porte line as it went up and down. Video of that tornado below.

All reports of tornado touchdowns remain preliminary until confirmed by the National Weather Service.