City of Gary Tornado Recovery Update

On March 19, 2025, at approximately 5:45 PM, an EF-1 tornado swept through Gary, causing significant damage from the Emerson community to 21st & Clark in Tolleston, and Black Oak. The 21st Avenue corridor between Whitcomb and Hendricks was most severely impacted. In response, Mayor Eddie Melton issued an executive order to accelerate our community's recovery efforts.

Due to the severe impacts of the storm, it took several days for NIPSCO to restore power for all residents. The City of Gary’s General Services department continues to work to clear roadways, remove fallen trees from homes and vehicles, and eliminate dangerous debris throughout affected areas.

The City of Gary’s Fire Department and General Services teams are actively collecting data on the fiscal impact of the storm, both on residents and the city, to support our request for assistance from various branches of government in response to natural disasters.  

Additionally, the Mayor's Office of Constituent Services continues to contact all residents who are known to have been displaced, and the city is partnering with the Red Cross to connect constituents with critical resources.  

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Resources for Residents

• If you have been displaced from your home or need assistance, call the City of Gary (219-881-1300) between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30pm.

• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.findhelp.org at any  time to report significant damage to your home.  

The City of Gary is thankful to the following organizations for their support of the ongoing recovery efforts: American Red Cross, Calumet Township Trustees, Gary Common Council, Gary Sanitary District, Gary Chicago International Airport, Hobart Public Works, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, Lake County Highway Department, Lake County Department of Homeland Security, and NIPSCO.

Media Contact:

Erika Blackwell, Chief Communications Officer, City of Gary
eblackwell@gary.gov  | (219) 806-6489 

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