(La Porte, IN) - La Porte Mayor Tom Dermody has declared a state of emergency for the city because of the widespread damage from Tuesday’s hurricane-like storm.

While covered under the declarations by county government and the governor, Dermody said the state of emergency for the city is an effort to maximize the resources and assistance available to the city from resources like the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Dermody also asked motorists to stay off the roads, if possible, to give crews space to cut and clear trees and to call 911 for any immediate assistance or call Indiana’s 211 hotline to be connected to resources like meals and showers.

He also urged residents needing help to contact him on his cell phone at (219) 363-7293.

At one point, the mayor said over 14,000 residents of the city were without power from a storm that toppled more than 1,000 trees in the community.