Destructive Severe Thunderstorm Warning Continues for Portage, Valparaiso and Chesterton, Indiana

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Portage, Valparaiso and Chesterton, Indiana, until 12:00 p.m. CDT Tuesday, with a destructive storm capable of producing wind gusts up to 80 mph.

The National Weather Service describes this as a life-threatening situation and urges people in the warning area to seek shelter immediately. A tornado is also possible, along with pea-sized hail.

The warning area includes Hebron, Kouts, DeMotte, Wheatfield, Kouts, Rensselaer, Burns Harbor and surrounding communities.

Approximately 191,581 people, 60 schools and four hospitals are within the warned area. Winds of this strength can cause significant tree and power-line damage and may damage buildings and vehicles.