(La Porte, IN) - A mid-day storm packing strong winds and heavy rains has caused thousands of power outages throughout the area along with numerous fallen trees and power lines.

 

According to NIPSCO, there were more than 16,000 customers without power in its La Porte service territory at 1 p.m. and more than 7,000 outages in its Michigan City service area.

 

La Porte County government employees were sent home for the rest of the day because of power outages at both courthouses and other buildings.

 

La Porte County Commissioner Steve Holifield is asking drivers not to travel, if possible, due to the safety risk posed by the number of fallen trees, utility poles and power lines.  He said utility company crews also need space to begin the task of restoring power.

 

“If you don’t have to be on the roads, stay home,” he said.

 

Mike Kellems, a police officer who lives in La Porte, said there were fallen trees and branches along with property damage where he was at during the storm on the west and south sides of the city.  

 

“The damage is very widespread and significant,” he said.

 

There were tornado warnings out during the storm but no confirmed touchdowns yet.

 

Michigan City resident Bob Johnson said about 1.6 inches of rain fell during the storm, which lasted for about 30 minutes.  At one point, Johnson said he had difficulty seeing his barn just 40 to 50 feet from his residence.

 

“It was sheets of rain.   I could barely even see it because the wind and the rain was coming down so hard,” he said.