Banta Center

08/19/2026

Over the last week and weekend, I was reached out to by three different groups of people who were originally participating in events that were canceled or changed because of the storm last week and damage after it.

After having a meeting on Monday evening, they have now teamed up to hold a gathering in Founders Square Park this Saturday for the members of our community to pray, enjoy music, games, free food, and just come together as neighbors and friends together in unity.

I know that the recovery process is not over in our city. Many of us are still waiting on power and dealing with a lot of uncertainty about the near future. Some of us may even be facing uncertainty about the far future.

No matter what is or is not already better or clearer by Saturday, one thing we can feel certain about is the strength of our city and our ability to be there for each other. It's something we have already proven in this recovery process, and something worth celebrating.

There will be more announcements coming this week about this gathering. I appreciate the team of old and new friends who have come together to put it on, and I'm thankful to be included on their team with them.

Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to clean up our city and support your neighbors since last week's terrible storm. You have kept our city strong.

08/19/2026

The Hilltop Food Pantry has been blessed with a donation of freshly ground pork and we want to share it with you!

Starting tomorrow, the meat will be available for pick-up during Hilltop Hunger Hub hours from 4 to 6 PM at 606 Union Street, Valpo. Just knock or ring the bell.

This visit does not count towards your monthly visits. See you then!

08/18/2026

🚨🚨🚨🚨ATTENTION 🚨🚨🚨🚨

🚨 PORTER COUNTY: YOUR STORM DAMAGE NEEDS TO BE REPORTED — EVERY REPORT COUNTS! 🚨

If you had ANY property damage from the August 11 storm — big or small — PLEASE report it to Indiana 211.

Porter County is officially ACTIVE for Indiana 211 Storm Damage Reporting for the August 11, 2026 storm.

Please do not assume your damage is too minor to report. Every report helps provide a more accurate picture of just how significantly Porter County was impacted.

🏠 WHAT CAN YOU REPORT?

🌳 Fallen trees or large limbs that caused property damage
🏠 Roof, siding, gutters, windows, or structural damage
🪵 Fences damaged or blown down
🏚️ Garages, sheds, barns, or other outbuildings
🚗 Vehicles damaged by trees, limbs, or storm debris
💧 Flooding or water damage
⚡ Storm-related electrical or utility damage
🌪️ Other wind or storm-related property damage

❓ WHY DOES REPORTING MATTER?

A damaged fence, a tree through a shed, missing shingles, or a damaged vehicle might not seem significant compared to what someone else experienced — but it still counts.

When reports from across Porter County are combined, they help emergency management officials understand the overall extent of the damage, identify community needs, and provide information that may support requests for disaster assistance.

Your individual report is one piece of the bigger picture.

✅ Already contacted your insurance company? Still report it.
✅ Think your damage is too minor? Report it.
✅ Already cleaned everything up? If you can document the damage, report it.
✅ Not sure if it counts? Submit the report.

📞 REPORT BY PHONE

Dial 211 or 866-211-9966
Weekdays from 7 a.m.–7 p.m. ET

💻 REPORT ONLINE — AVAILABLE 24/7

https://in211.communityos.org/IDHS_Disaster_Damage_Reporting_Tool

🚨 PLEASE SHARE THIS POST.

The goal is to make sure the damage throughout Porter County is accurately represented. If your property was damaged by the August 11 storm, please take a few minutes and make sure your damage gets counted.

🚒 Porter Fire Department

CommunityOS is an I&R, Disaster, and Public Health client database and case management system.