[Southsider2k12]

The power is out in the areas west of Franklin Street in midtown Michigan City. About 1100 customers are out according to Nipsco, with an estimated restoration time of 12:45pm.

[diggler]

May get WORSE tonight.

[diggler]

UPDATE: Power out in some areas; more dangerous storms expected Monday afternoon

Times Staff May 14, 2018

Thunderstorms moved into the Region early Monday, possibly knocking out power in some areas and downing some trees.

More than 1,000 NIPSCO customers were without power as of 10:30 a.m., according to the utility's outage map. That was down from more than 1,800 earlier in the morning.

Outages were reported across the Region, including in Crown Point, Gary, Hobart, LaPorte, Merrillville, Porter and Schererville.

The National Weather Service said wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph and hail were possible during morning storms, which were expected to continue for several hours.

A flood warning was issued for northern LaPorte County through 11:45 a.m. Up to 3.5 inches of rain could fall before storms pass later Monday, forecasters said.

An urban and small stream flood advisory for poor drainage areas in Cook and Dupage counties in Illinois expired at 9:45 a.m.

Storms later Monday were expected to come with more severe risks, the weather service said.

Another round of storms between 3 p.m. and midnight could produce winds up to 60 mph, half-dollar-size hail, lightning and heavy rain. Localized flooding is possible.

Thunderstorms could continue overnight into Tuesday.