Ind. storm tore down trees, thousands without power - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

Power is out Friday after a violent storm pounded northwest Indiana Thursday afternoon.

The storms moved through quickly, and ripped down many trees. Several buildings, including a church and an apartment building had their roofs blown off during the storm.

Power was out for about 4,100 people as of Friday, and damage was spread all around Gary and Merrillville.

Most of the 20,000 outages Thursday were in Gary, Merrillville, Schererville and Crown Point.

Trees are down at 5th and Burr and 13th and Ralson in Gary, and the roof was blown off an apartment at 57th and Broadway in Merrillville.

"The winds got really heavy - strong - and we heard a howling sound," Gary homeowner Carleton Barnes said. "We didn't see a funnel cloud. We heard a howling sound and look out the window and next thing we know, we saw this tree coming towards our window."

Pastor Lorenzo Bonds of the Temple of Deliverence in Christ said that he initially got a call that his church had been broken into. In fact, part of the roof had been ripped off and thrown 300 feet. he wonders if it might have been a tornado.

"It could have been a very strong wind," he said. "But for this to take that roof -- that's some heavy wood. That has to be some powerful wind."

For a complete guide on how to BEAT THE HEAT, check out our SURVIVAL GUIDE.