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Indiana tornado: Doppler radar shows extreme wind in Lake Michigan; Laporte, Portage, Merrillville warned; videos
A powerful storm system triggered tornado warnings across Indiana and Michigan, with radar showing hurricane-force winds near Lake Michigan.
A dangerous storm system swept through Indiana and Michigan on Tuesday, bringing tornado warnings, extreme winds, and threats of major damage across several counties.
Which counties are under tornado warning?
According to the National Weather Service, a tornado warning remains in effect until 1:30pm EDT for Elkhart, St Joseph, northwestern Kosciusko, Marshall, Cass, and Berrien counties.
The NWS said at 1:00pm EDT, a severe squall line capable of producing both tornadoes and extensive straight-line wind damage was located along a line stretching from near Bridgman to South Bend to near Bremen to near Argos, and it was moving east at 60 mph.
Here is the video:
What happened near lake Michigan?
A tornado warning was issued for Portage, Valparaiso, and Chesterton in Indiana, valid until 11:45am CDT (12:45pm EDT).
According to a social media, Doppler radar picked up extreme winds in the part of the storm running along the south shore of Lake Michigan, near the Indiana Dunes, well east of Chicago.
As per the post, winds were recorded at "122mph about 3000 feet up." The update added that “Surface reflection likely near 100mph and any downdraft can mix down these triple digit hurricane force winds to the surface.”
How dangerous is this storm?
As per the NWS, the hazard includes tornadoes and wind gusts in excess of 90 mph. This was based on radar-indicated rotation.
The weather agency explained the impact clearly, stating that flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter, mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed, and damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is also likely.
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Which areas and highways are at risk?
According to the NWS update, the storm threatens several locations, including South Bend, Elkhart, Mishawaka, Goshen, Warsaw, Niles, Benton Harbor, Plymouth, St Joseph, Nappanee, Dowagiac, Bremen, Buchanan, Granger, Dunlap, Simonton Lake, Gulivoire Park, Benton Heights, Fair Plain, and Osceola.
The highways in the storm's path include Interstate 196 near mile marker 0, Interstate 80 in Indiana between mile markers 62 and 104, and Interstate 94 in Michigan between mile markers 1 and 34.
Is Central Indiana also at risk?
Yes. As per an update, severe thunderstorms were moving southeast at 55 MPH toward central Indiana, including Lafayette, Frankfort, Flora and Michigantown.
According to the update, damaging winds of 60-80 MPH are the main threat, along with large hail, heavy rain, lightning and a brief tornado possible.
