Strong Winds Hamper Tornado Recovery Efforts in Lake Village, Indiana

Indiana officials continue surveying damage as homeowners struggle to clean up after deadly twister.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:52pm

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Indiana state officials are continuing to assess the damage from a deadly tornado that struck Lake Village earlier this week, but strong winds on Friday have made the cleanup efforts much more difficult for homeowners trying to recover. Two people were killed in the EF3 tornado that ripped through the town on Tuesday, and many homes were severely damaged or destroyed.

Why it matters

The strong winds following the tornado have posed additional challenges for the community as they try to recover and rebuild. Residents are struggling to clear debris and salvage what they can, while officials work to determine if the area qualifies for state or federal disaster funding to aid the recovery process.

The details

Homeowners in Lake Village were still picking up the pieces on Friday as strong winds continued to cause problems. Stella Mausehund took shelter in her crawl space during the tornado, while her daughters in nearby towns tried frantically to reach her. Next door, Evie and Tom Eckhoff lost everything they had built in their home over the past five years. Indiana Department of Homeland Security crews have been assessing the damage to homes, with officials saying it could be weeks or even years before some residents can return to their properties.

  • The deadly EF3 tornado struck Lake Village on Tuesday.
  • Indiana state officials continued surveying the damage on Friday.

The players

Stella Mausehund

A Lake Village resident who took shelter in her crawl space during the tornado.

Kathy Arseneau

Mausehund's daughter who lives in Kankakee.

Crystal Holste

Mausehund's other daughter who lives in Wheatfield.

Evie and Tom Eckhoff

Homeowners in Lake Village who lost everything they had built in their home over the past five years.

Lacy Foy

A public assistance specialist with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

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What they’re saying

“We kind of hunkered down. We heard a lot of it coming.”

— Stella Mausehund

“If you have 100% loss, we consider that as a major property loss.”

— Lacy Foy, Public Assistance Specialist, Indiana Department of Homeland Security

“We built this, the home inside the barn, with our own two hands. So, to see everything that you've done for the past five years just gone in 90 seconds is very devastating.”

— Evie Eckhoff

What’s next

Indiana state officials said crews will be out in Lake Village as long as the community needs them to continue assessing damage and determining if the area qualifies for state or federal disaster funding to aid the recovery process.

The takeaway

The strong winds following the deadly tornado in Lake Village have added an extra layer of difficulty for residents trying to recover and rebuild their homes and lives. This highlights the ongoing challenges communities face in the aftermath of severe weather events, and the importance of state and federal support to help them get back on their feet.