National Weather Service to Hold Emergency Preparedness Forum in Gary

The event comes after a deadly storm last week and a year after a tornado hit the area.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:53pm

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The National Weather Service will host an emergency preparedness forum in Gary, Indiana on Thursday, March 19th. The two-hour seminar, titled "Beyond the Warning: A Look at Weather Forecasting and Preparedness," will cover topics like thunderstorm development, severe weather preparedness, and how to interpret radar data. The forum is part of the NWS's ongoing public education efforts, and comes after a deadly storm hit the region last week and nearly a year after a tornado struck Gary.

Why it matters

The forum aims to educate the public on weather preparedness in a region that has seen an increase in severe weather events in recent years, including a tornado that caused significant damage in Gary in 2025 and a deadly storm last week that killed two people. The NWS hopes to ensure residents are better prepared for future weather emergencies.

The details

During the two-hour seminar, NWS meteorologists will walk attendees through weather forecasting and how to interpret radar data. Participants will also get hands-on experience with a forecast scenario to see how meteorologists generate forecasts. The free event is open to the public and will be held at the Indiana University Northwest Anderson Library and Conference Center.

  • The forum will take place on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Nearly a year ago, on March 19, 2025, an EF-1 tornado hit Gary, damaging an elementary school and several homes.
  • Last week, a tornado hit Lake Village, Indiana, killing two people.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather warnings.

Ricky Castro

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Bob Walker

The director of the Lake County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department.

Mike Braun

The governor of Indiana.

Scott McCord

The Newton County Coroner.

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What they’re saying

“The events of last week and even yesterday highlight the importance of preparedness and general steps needed to be safe.”

— Ricky Castro, Meteorologist (chicagotribune.com)

“It was a little worse than we thought it would be. Where it hit, it just seemed like it took everything out.”

— Mike Braun (chicagotribune.com)

“To see everybody working together … it's just amazing.”

— Bob Walker, Lake County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director (chicagotribune.com)

“That's what didn't happen in Lake Village. They didn't really prepare for the devastation.”

— Bob Walker, Lake County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The National Weather Service forum will provide valuable information to help Gary and the surrounding region prepare for future severe weather events. After the forum, the Lake County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Department plans to work with residents to ensure they have the necessary supplies and knowledge to stay safe during storms.

The takeaway

The increase in severe weather events in recent years, including the deadly tornado last week, underscores the critical importance of public education and preparedness. The National Weather Service forum aims to empower Gary residents to better protect themselves and their communities in the face of future weather emergencies.