Thunderstorms packing winds as high as 75 mph have buffeted northern and eastern Indiana, leaving tens of thousands of power customers without service.
Northern Indiana Public Service Company says 67,000 of its customers in Gary, Hammond and other communities were affected by the storms early Tuesday, and 62,000 had no service at midday. Utility spokesman Nick Meyer says outages are expected to last several days.
Indiana Michigan Power Co. reports at least 4,000 of its customers have lost service, including more than 3,000 in Muncie, where heavy rains also have flooded streets.
Duke Energy reports more than 3,500 of its customers with power.
The National Weather Service says wind gusts reached 75 mph in Lake and Porter counties and topped 70 mph in several other locations across northwestern Indiana.
