Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2 billion

At sunrise, police patrol a partially-destroyed row of houses adjacent to a group of homes completely leveled on Monday when a tornado moved through Moore, Okla., Wednesday, May 22, 2013. The huge tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburb, flattening a wide swath of homes and businesse…

Oklahoma tornado damage could top $2 billion

The wreckage of homes litters a playground adjacent to a neighborhood which was destroyed Monday when a tornado moved through Moore, Okla., Wednesday, May 22, 2013. The huge tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburb, flattening a wide swath of homes and businesses. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

Search nearly complete after Oklahoma tornado

Storm clouds build in the distance beyond tornado-ravaged homes Tuesday in Moore, Okla. A huge tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburb Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds.

Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma

Zac Woodcock salvages items from the rubble of a tornado-ravaged rental home which they own Tuesday, May 21, 2013, in Moore, Okla. A huge tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburb Monday, flattening an entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as child…

Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma

Justin Stehan salvages photographs from his tornado-ravaged home Tuesday in Moore, Okla.

Fire chief says search almost complete in Oklahoma

Jimmy Hodges helps Chad Heltcel and his wife Cassidi salvage the wreckage of Chad Heltcel's family home, which was destroyed Monday when a tornado moved through Moore, Okla., Tuesday, May 21, 2013. The huge tornado roared through the Oklahoma City suburb, flattening entire neighborhoods and …

EDITORIAL: Keep pushing on E911 consolidation

Police and fire officials in Lake County have accepted an offer they couldn't refuse -- free space at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point to house the consolidated E911 dispatch service. It's a smart move.

Accepting Applications for Volunteers

CROWN POINT | The Crown Point Emergency Management is currently accepting applications for community oriented volunteers. Members receive free training in various areas including traffic management, weather spotting, hazardous materials awareness, emergency preparedness, first aid, and much …

Water released from Isaac-stressed dam

A sherriff's vehicle sits Thursday in flood waters caused by Isaac, north of LaPlace, La, off Lake Pontchartrain. The National Hurricane Center said Isaac was expected to become a tropical depression by Thursday night.

Officials may breach levee as Isaac storms inland

Isaac's winds and storm surge overcomes the seawall Wednesday and floods Terrace Avenue in Waveland, Miss. on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf Coast.

EDITORIAL: Local government efficiency merits praise

The financial straits facing local government are paying off, in some cases, by driving innovation and bringing about greater efficiency. Porter County is one of those places.

Emergency readiness program today for Hobart senior citizens

HOBART | Seniors are invited to attend an emergency preparedness program from 10 a.m. to noon today at Maria Reiner Senior Center, 705 E. Fourth St.

Recent editorials from Indiana newspapers

Early prison release raises red flag

Town of Chesterton prepares for emergencies with state-of-the-art notification system

CHESTERTON | When a crisis affects the Town of Chesterton, Emergency Management officials must be able to reach residents instantly with warnings, information, and updates. In order to ensure that residents can be contacted quickly and effectively, the Town has begun using Global Connect's E…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: NWI needs regional disaster preparedness plan

In the wake of the devastating and lethal tornadoes in southern Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, I am compelled to advocate for a regional disaster preparedness plan.

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Still no movement toward emergency preparedness

A year ago, I presented the fact that there are very few community emergency response teams in south suburban Cook County. Chicago Heights and Tinley Park are the only two of 50-plus communities.

EDITORIAL: Finish the job of 911 dispatch consolidation

One of the biggest lessons of 9/11, according to the 9/11 Commission, was that local emergency responders need the ability to communicate easily with each other in the event of a disaster — any kind of disaster. Chairman Thomas Kean and Vice Chairman Lee Hamilton see the lack of progress on …

Weathering the storms: Home improvements could save your life

It can take seconds for a monster tornado to tear a stick-built Midwest house to shreds. But even much weaker winds have damaged regional residences this storm season. We've seen the destroyed roofs and broken windows that prove it.

Two believed struck by lightning in Valpo

VALPARAISO | An employee of Walgreens and a county E911 dispatcher were both checked out by medics Friday morning as a result of being on the telephone when their buildings were believed to have been struck by lightning.

Crews work to reopen St. Louis airport hit by tornado

ST. LOUIS | A severe storm that struck the St. Louis area left homes flattened in suburbs around the main airport, which remained closed Saturday a day after being hit by a tornado.