NW Indiana begins clean up after deadly storms wreak havoc on neighborhoods
4-year-old dies in southeastern Indiana after tree fell on house amid the storms.
PORTAGE, Ind. (WLS) -- Northwest Indiana communities are assessing the damage left behind from Tuesday's severe storms.
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A deadly house explosion is now being linked to the extreme weather.
People in Portage, Indiana say they have never seen destruction like this.
City leaders issued an emergency declaration as cleanup begins and as authorities investigate what sparked the deadly house explosion.
Neighbors said they heard a loud boom when the home exploded, sparking a massive fire that engulfed what was left of the house.
Storm debris made it difficult to get to the burning home. Some neighbors tried to help put out the fire, but the flames were just too intense.
Meanwhile, the power is still out in places, some neighbors say they're worried about the chance for more storms Wednesday.
SEE ALSO | Next round of storms bring chance for severe weather Wednesday across Chicago area
The Bonner Senior Center, located at 5800 Lexington Avenue, is open for Portage residents who need a place to stay.
The Northwest Health Center on Willowcreek Road is also open for those seeking shelter.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun will join other leaders to assess the storm damage in Hammond on Wednesday at about noon.
Schools in Valparaiso, Crown Point, Hobart and Gary announced they will be closed on Wednesday.
SEE ALSO | School Closings: Chicago Area, NW Indiana Complete List
Due to the power outages, Gary Transit service is suspended for Wednesday, including Access219 paratransit service.
In southeastern Indiana, a 4-year-old boy died after a tree fell on her home in Jennings County.
According to the Jennings County Deputy Chief Cody Low, a tree fell on a single-family home in the Geneva Township just before 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The home was located in a heavily wooded neighborhood.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Neighbors mourn resident who died in NW Indiana house explosion as rare derecho tore though area
