Apparent tornado hits section of Northwest Indiana

Robert Baker, works at the Strack and Van Til supermarket on Broadway at 61^st Street. The store was without power after the apparent tornado ripped through the area just north of the store.

“Looking at the damages, it’s worse looking at it than what we be seeing on television.”

Across a driveway from the store is Andrean Catholic High School. The school and some homes north of it took the brunt of the storm.

Utility poles were snapped like twigs. Power lines were strewn across Broadway Avenue and trees were badly damaged, one with pink insulation dangling from branches like garland on a Christmas tree.

The roof of the school sustained roof and, likely, water damage. And, although trees around it were snapped, a 15-foot tall cross with Jesus on it stood apparently unscathed.

1973 alumnus Pamela Thomas said God will help the Andrean community recover.

“He saved the cross of Jesus on the front and all the trees around it are down so, he’s with us. He’s watching over us,” she said.

Andrean High School put out a message on Facebook saying that the school is a special and sacred place but that it’s about people, not infrastructure and that no one was on campus during the storm.

“It’s horrible but I know that we’re strong. 59ers are strong and we’re going to build and God will help us.”

The school’s nickname is the Fighting 59ers because the school is on 59^th Street and opened in 1959.

Lake County, Indiana Sheriff’s Police say deputies assisted Merrillville police officers in door-to-door checks of homes where residents may have needed help. There were no reports of any injuries.