Overview
- A home in the 6600 block of Harrison Avenue in Portage, Indiana, exploded and was left largely destroyed, killing one person, city officials confirmed.
- The blast occurred as a line of severe thunderstorms swept Northwest Indiana and produced a radar‑confirmed tornado in Crown Point and widespread destructive winds.
- Portage Mayor Austin Bonta declared a local emergency, opened an emergency operations center, and ordered evacuations because of downed power lines and unsafe conditions.
- Portage Township School Corporation canceled classes and extracurriculars while officials assess damage and utility crews work to restore power and clear roadways.
- Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the explosion and CBS meteorologists say straight‑line winds of about 100–110 mph are possible; National Weather Service survey teams will inspect damage to distinguish tornado damage from wind damage and guide recovery efforts.