A powerful line of severe thunderstorms swept across Indiana on Tuesday, Aug. 11, producing destructive winds, tornado warnings, flooding and widespread power outages from northwest Indiana through the central and northern parts of the state.

The storms were part of a larger system that raced across the Midwest on Aug. 11, hitting Illinois before moving through Indiana and into Ohio. The system produced widespread wind damage and was being evaluated as a possible derecho.

Some of the strongest winds were reported in northwest Indiana, where a gust reached 99 mph in Gary. Trees and utility lines were knocked down across the region, roads were blocked by debris and some buildings were damaged.

The storms caused a massive disruption to electrical service. NIPSCO reported at one point that about 301,000 of its roughly 500,000 electric customers were without power across northern Indiana. The utility said heavy rain, lightning and destructive winds caused extensive damage and crews were working to assess the system before restoration estimates could be provided.

Track Indiana Michigan Power outages here

Track NIPSCO Electric power outages here

The severe weather also battered the South Bend-Elkhart area Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for portions of northern Indiana as the storms moved east. One warning included Elkhart County, while other communities across Michiana were placed under severe thunderstorm warnings as the line moved through.

Reports from across northern Indiana included downed trees and power lines, localized flooding and scattered property damage. Damage stretched from near the Illinois state line east toward the Ohio border.

Forecasters had warned early Tuesday that damaging winds would be the primary threat. The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana said severe storms were most likely between noon and 6 p.m., with winds potentially exceeding 70 mph. Tornadoes and heavy rainfall were also possible.

Central Indiana was also hit as the storms continued south and east. Severe thunderstorm warnings were issued as storms capable of producing damaging winds moved through the region, while heavy rainfall created concerns about flash flooding. Tens of thousands of customers in central Indiana also lost power.

Flooding remained a concern into early Wednesday, particularly across eastern Indiana, where the National Weather Service warned that flooding and flash flooding could continue through daybreak. Additional showers and thunderstorms were possible later Wednesday.

The Indiana storms were part of a much larger outbreak stretching from the Chicago area into Ohio. More than 600,000 customers across the Midwest lost electricity as the system moved through, while tornadoes were confirmed in the Chicago area.

Cleanup and power restoration efforts were underway across Indiana Wednesday morning as residents and emergency crews assessed the extent of the damage.