By KATIE JOHNSON

Niles Daily Star

Niles Utilities crews are working to restore power after a severe thunderstorm knocked down lines and downed trees last night.

“We’re trying to energize the Silverbrook area now,” Steve Burger, operating mechanic for the wastewater plant, said at about 12:45 today.

Burger said power is “kind of spotty.” One of the worst-hit areas was along Wayne Street, where poles are down. Tree crews are also out, he said.

Niles Utilities has been receiving many calls from customers inquiring about when power will be restored.

“About all we can tell them that the best guess given to us (by crews) is late afternoon (today),” Burger said.

According to WNDU, the storm produced winds as strong as 68 to 90 miles per hour in Michiana, with the strongest reported in LaPorte, Ind. No tornadoes were reported. Many roads were closed as trees and power lines blocked traffic.

Trees were down over U.S. Highway 12 and blocked traffic on Gumwood Road in Granger. Winds produced damage to homes particularly in South Bend, where siding was ripped off houses and trees reportedly fell over into homes.

The storms, which originated early Friday in Iowa and swept east through the Midwest, caused one fatality. According to annarbor.com, a 47-year-old man was killed when his van struck a tree in Dexter Township.