Tornado Recovery
On the evening of June 11, 2026, a tornado touched down in Merrillville, damaging more than 200 buildings. Recovery efforts are underway, and residents likely have questions about services available at this time. Please use the links below to learn more about what's available.
Tornado Recovery Services and Resources
Damaged Waste Management Garbage Totes
Residents affected by the June 11 tornado are encouraged to call 211 or visit in211.org from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday to inquire about services and resources available to you. This includes residents seeking volunteer assistance as they clean up their properties. There are volunteer groups in the community available to assist to cut and move large limbs and trees as well as with other cleanup efforts. You must first contact 211 to get on the list for volunteer cleanup assistance.
Residents also are encouraged to report their storm-related property damage by calling 211 or visiting in211.org and clicking on the “DAMAGE REPORTING” tab. This information is used to determine the needs in the community and develop the next course of action in the disaster recovery process.
Many residential garbage totes were damaged during the June 11th tornado. The town will cover the replacement costs, so residents will not be charged to replace their Waste Management totes that were damaged during the extreme weather. If your tote was damaged in the tornado, call Waste Management at 800-964-8988 and indicate the Town of Merrillville is covering the costs of the new container.
As cleanup continues, the town has arranged for more Dumpsters to be placed throughout the community. Dumpsters will be at the following locations:
57th Ave. and Massachusetts St. (church parking lot)
58th Ave. and Roosevelt St.
58th Ave. and McKinley St.
5951 Hayes St.
5998 Polk Court
6073 Grant Place
61st Ave. and Arthur
63rd Ave. and Taney Ct.
63rd Ave. and Taft St.
As of June 16, power has been restored to many areas in northern Merrillville, and traffic signals have been reactivated at several key intersections. This should help improve traffic flow and reduce delays throughout the affected areas.
NIPSCO will continue providing updates regarding power restoration efforts through its website.
Merrillville Police Officers will continue conducting 24-hour patrols in neighborhoods impacted by the storm and will maintain this enhanced presence for the foreseeable future.
As always, if you have an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
With power out, many are using generators at their homes. It’s important to follow generator safety rules to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and it can be lethal.
If your generator is still running, these rules still apply:
· Keep it at least 20 feet away from your home, with exhaust pointed away from windows and vents.
· Never run it in a garage, basement, or shed — even with the door open.
· Make sure your CO detectors are working — on every floor and outside sleeping areas.
· If your alarm sounds, or you feel dizzy, nauseous, or confused — get outside immediately and call 911.
Stay safe while waiting for power to be fully restored.