PORTAGE — An explosion that destroyed a home during severe storms Tuesday in northwest Indiana killed an 86-year-old woman, her family and neighbors said Wednesday as crews worked to control reported gas leaks and restore power across the area.
Home reduced to rubble; family, neighbors react
The two-story house in the 6600 block of Harrison was reduced to rubble, with debris scattered across the street and neighboring properties damaged, aerial video and on-scene accounts show. Family members identified the woman as Leona Rice.
Neighbors said Rice and her husband had lived in the house for at least 30 years. The husband had left for a medical appointment before the storms arrived and returned to find his home destroyed and his wife's body inside, neighbors said. Sons and other relatives visited the site Wednesday morning, placing keepsakes at the home’s doorway.
"I got out there, I put my arms around him, and I said come with me, come sit down," said neighbor Shirley Golob. "It's just a sad situation that that had to happen like that."
Neighbor Margaret Clark, whose own property suffered storm damage, said the community is beginning to organize cleanup and recovery efforts.
Severe winds, tree damage hampered first responders
CBS News Chicago meteorologists reviewing the scene said the destruction is consistent with straight-line winds of about 100 to 110 mph — forces comparable to an EF-1 tornado or a Category 2 hurricane. Downed trees and debris complicated initial emergency access to the property, officials and residents reported.
Local first responders faced delays reaching the address because of blocked roads and toppled trees. The damaged structure left neighboring homes with varying degrees of destruction.
Gas leaks, power outages reported; utility crews responding
Residents reported the smell of natural gas Wednesday morning. Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) said it is working to locate and secure leaks and to restore power to hundreds of thousands of customers affected by the storms across the region.
The scale of outages and gas line repairs remained fluid Wednesday as crews assessed damage and prioritized hazardous conditions.
- Fatality: 86-year-old Leona Rice, identified by family.
- Location: 6600 block of Harrison, Portage.
- Preliminary wind estimates: about 100–110 mph (meteorologists’ assessment).
- Utility response: NIPSCO working to control multiple reported gas leaks and restore power.
Impact on neighborhood and recovery steps
Neighbors described a scene of shock and mobilization. While families tended to the immediate loss at the destroyed residence, other households combed through yards for salvageable items and coordinated to clear roadways for emergency vehicles and utility crews.
Local officials did not immediately release a formal cause of the explosion. Investigations into storm-related structural damage, downed lines or ruptured gas mains typically involve multiple agencies, including fire departments, utilities and, where appropriate, state inspectors.
Residents in affected areas were urged to report the smell of gas immediately, evacuate if they see active leaks or fire, and avoid downed power lines. Utility companies commonly advise shutting off gas at the meter only when instructed by emergency personnel or trained utility workers.
Regional context: storms across northwest Indiana
Parts of northwest Indiana experienced a swath of severe weather Tuesday with damaging winds and scattered structural damage. The Portage explosion is among the most severe single-location incidents reported amid broader storm impacts that left neighborhoods without power and complicated emergency response efforts.
| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Victim | Leona Rice, 86 |
| Address | 6600 block of Harrison, Portage |
| Estimated wind strength | About 100–110 mph |
| Utility | NIPSCO — responding to gas leaks and outages |
Local officials have not yet provided a timeline for when formal investigators will release a cause for the explosion. In the meantime, community members are focusing on immediate safety, cleanup and support for the family affected by the fatality.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor official updates from Portage authorities and utility companies and will provide information on sheltering, road closures and recovery resources as it becomes available.
