"What contingency plan do you have to survive a severe weather catastrophe?"

Dan Ziegler, Hebron | "For electricity I've got a generator that I use. We have canned food and a spare sump pump. If we get hit by a tornado, we'll take a vacation."

"What contingency plan do you have to survive a severe weather catastrophe?"

James Dahlke, Kouts | "I head south and leave it behind. I've got a house in southern Florida."

"What contingency plan do you have to survive a severe weather catastrophe?"

Milton Chavez, Whiting | "Evacuate as soon as I hear about it, I'd go. I get my valuables and head to higher ground."

"What contingency plan do you have to survive a severe weather catastrophe?"

Paul Trgovcich, Valparaiso | "Stock up on beer and survive indefinitely."

Thirst for rain answered with violent thunder, lightning

Downpours of rain and ping pong ball-sized hail accompanied by roaring thunder and fierce lightning ripped through the region Thursday night — quenching the area's thirst for precipitation.

National Weather Service issues severe storm warning

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for southeastern Cook County in northeast Illinois and Lake County and western Porter County in northwest Indiana, effective until 4:15 p.m.

EDITORIAL: VU improving storm safety margin

As of Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center reported 1,427 tornadoes in the United States this year alone. Some of those tornadoes have been deadly. That makes the need to learn more about tornadoes all the more urgent.

JOHN DOHERTY: Lightning can't tell the difference

If you've been a long-time reader of this column, the following story may sound familiar. It's been awhile since I've told it here. Because of recent events, though, it bears repeating:

Lake and Porter counties under severe thunderstorm warning

A severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect until 8:45 p.m. for southern porter and central lake counties, according to the National Weather Service.