Woman Killed in Portage, Indiana, House Explosion Identified by Family as Leona Rice, 86,
Authorities say the explosion killed an 88-year-old woman and sparked a fire as severe storms swept through Northwest Indiana.
- On Tuesday, 86-year-old Leona Rice died when her home exploded in Portage, Indiana, as severe storms swept through the area. Investigators are examining whether the extreme weather contributed to the fatal blast.
- The National Weather Service classified Tuesday's weather event as a derecho, producing wind gusts of up to 100 mph and multiple EF-1 tornadoes across the Chicago area. This extreme system caused widespread destruction throughout northwest Indiana.
- More than 276,000 NIPSCO customers in northwest Indiana remain without power, while city officials work to control several gas leaks throughout the community. Residents have been urged to fill fuel tanks in Illinois due to station shortages.
- Portage Mayor Austin Bonta signed an emergency proclamation to coordinate response teams, while the Portage Township School Corporation canceled classes to assess campus damage. The Bonner Senior Center at 5800 Lexington Avenue opened for shelter.
- Community members are rallying to clear debris and support neighbors as Portage processes the disaster. Portage Police Captain Rob Maynard, a 50-year resident, said, "I think this is probably one of the worst things that we've ever had to go through.
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13 Articles
Chicago Sun Times
Usa newsPortage community cleans up after severe storm and deadly home explosion
PORTAGE, Ind. — Joni Rainwater and her children were walking along Harrison Avenue on Tuesday afternoon when the house in front of them suddenly exploded into flames.The blast knocked them to the ground and left her 14-year-old daughter covered in burning debris. Killed inside the home was Leona Rice, 86.Neighbors helped Rainwater pull the teen from the debris.It all happened just as severe storms were beginning to sweep through the area, toppli…
Neighbors mourn grandmother who died in Portage house explosion
A community is devastated after an 88-year-old grandmother died when her house exploded in Portage, Indiana Tuesday. Leona Rice’s Portage home was known by many in her neighborhood, and she took great pride in decorating it. Neighbors say her husband was at a doctor’s appointment when he came home to find out what happened. The devastating event happened during a powerful storm that swept through the area, and the shock is still fresh for thsoe …
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