Tornadoes, Monster Hail Kill Two, Devastate Illinois And Indiana
Supercell storms spawned at least four tornadoes and a possibly record 6-inch hailstone, killing an elderly Indiana couple and damaging dozens of homes across Illinois and Indiana.
Chicago Sun-TimesCouple killed after storms bring at least 4 twisters, possible record-setting hail in Illinois and Indiana
CBS NewsTornadoes tear through Midwest, killing elderly couple in Indiana home
USA TODAYMillions on alert as tornadoes, storms stretch across eastern US
PBS NewsHourNews Wrap: Tornadoes kill at least 2 in Indiana
Overview
A string of intense storms on March 11, 2026 spawned at least four tornadoes that killed an elderly couple in Lake Village, Indiana, officials identified them as Edward L. Kozlowski, 89, and Arlene Kozlowski, 84.
One supercell produced twisters across Livingston and Kankakee counties in Illinois and Newton, Jasper and Starke counties in northwestern Indiana, the National Weather Service said.
Search-and-rescue teams went door to door and authorities conducted secondary searches while local officials urged people not to travel into damaged areas, Indiana and county officials said.
NOAA's Storm Prediction Center reported at least 17 tornadoes over 72 hours and more than 300 damaging severe-storm reports, and officials said more than 100 structures were damaged and 32 destroyed.
The National Weather Service will survey damage to confirm tornado counts, and a committee will decide if a reported 6-inch hailstone near Kankakee sets an Illinois record, officials said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a human-impact narrative, emphasizing community loss and resilience through vivid descriptions ('leveled homes'), photo galleries, and multiple resident accounts while giving routine technical details to the National Weather Service. Editorial choices prioritize personal anecdotes (Cronin, Wehrle) and visuals, and omit broader contextual analysis like preparedness or climate links.
FAQ
Edward L. Kozlowski, 89, and Arlene Kozlowski, 84, an elderly couple in Lake Village, Indiana.
Tornadoes impacted Livingston and Kankakee counties in Illinois, and Newton, Jasper, and Starke counties in northwestern Indiana, including Lake Village, Wheatfield, Aroma Park, Sun River Terrace, St. Anne, and Kankakee.
The National Weather Service is sending three storm survey teams on March 12, 2026, to assess damage and confirm tornado counts; search-and-rescue efforts continue door-to-door, and Kankakee County has activated its Emergency Operations Center.
A possibly record 6-inch hailstone was reported near Kankakee, Illinois; a committee will verify if it sets a state record after surveys.
More than 100 structures damaged, 32 destroyed; over 10,000 power outages, road closures, school closures, and emergency declarations in affected areas.
