(La Porte County, IN) - There were still over 4,000 NIPSCO customers in the Michigan City area and close to 1,400 customers in the La Porte area without power this afternoon following a storm last night.

 

The storm didn’t last long or seem to produce much rain but packed winds estimated at close to 60 miles per hour.

 

“It was a quick storm.  Came and went,” said Bob Johnson of Michigan City.

 

The damage included the upper level at Amish Structures being ripped away and carried across all four lanes U.S. 20 in Trail Creek.

 

Johnson, who lives nearby on Pahs Road, said large up to 20 foot sections of the roof landed in an empty lot across the four lane highway about 200 feet away from the property.

 

“There are pretty big chunks laying all over there,” he said.

 

Amish Structures at 8555 W. U.S. 20 in Trail Creek is now out of business until owner Donnie Pawlik rebuilds his main two story showroom and workshop.

 

Pawlik said he’s already been in touch with contractors about rebuilding the upper level he used for storage.

 

“It’s looking like, hopefully, in two to three weeks I should be back up and running,” he said.

 

Pawlik said seven display model wooden sheds with some destroyed from being knocked over or blown around over by strong winds were among his other losses that included “dozens of pieces of outdoor furniture.”

 

“I’m not done assessing everything,” he said.

 

Pawlik, who’s been in business there for nine-years, is also a provider of gazebos, horse shelters, tiny log cabins along with pole barns and other metal structures.  All of his products are made by the Amish in northern Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

 

“They build and I sell it,” he said.

 

Pawlik said he’ll order new sheds for recent buyers of the ones damaged or destroyed.

 

“They were recently sold to customers waiting for delivery,” he said