Portercountyin.gov

10/09/2026

🚨 Porter County Derecho Debris Removal Begins Next Week 🚨
October 9, 2026

The State of Indiana has deployed contractors to help Porter County remove vegetative debris from the August 11 storm. Work starts next week in South Haven and the area east of Chesterton.

🌳 Residents may place storm related vegetative debris in the PUBLIC right of way

➡️ Multiple pickup rounds will occur
➡️ Debris must be in the right of way
➡️ Material on private property cannot be collected under federal rules

📌 See our graphic for proper placement

We’ll share schedules and updates as soon as the contractor provides their long term plan.

For assistance or questions, please contact:
📧 [email protected]
📞 219 465 3570

Thank you for your patience as we work through this major cleanup effort.

09/18/2026

Porter County Derecho Cleanup Update

Porter County continues working through recovery efforts after the August 11, 2026, Derecho, which caused unprecedented damage across our communities. The amount of fallen trees and vegetative debris is unlike anything we’ve faced in recent memory, and we appreciate your patience as cleanup moves forward.

📌 Disaster Area Declared Porter County—along with several northern Indiana counties—has been officially declared a Disaster Area, allowing us to access federal and state funding for emergency response and debris removal.

📌 Highway Department Response Right after the storm, our Highway Department cleared as many roads as possible with our county equipment to restore access for emergency services, utilities, and residents. However, the volume of debris along county road rights of way requires specialized equipment and additional manpower.

📌 Debris Removal Contractor This week, Porter County will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire qualified contractors for large-scale debris collection and disposal. These contractors will operate under tightly controlled FEMA and state regulations to ensure the County remains eligible for reimbursement.

📌 What Residents Should Know Once a contractor is selected, residents will be asked to place storm related vegetative debris from the August 11 event along the county road right of way for pickup (see graphic for more details on what the ‘right-of-way' is). Debris must be in the public right of way. Material on private property cannot be collected under federal rules.

📌 Timeline Heavy debris removal operations are expected to begin mid-October and are expected to go through the end of November. We will continue sharing updates, guidance, and schedules through our website, social media, and local news outlets.

❤️ Thank You, Porter County We know the past weeks have been difficult for many families and neighborhoods. Your patience, cooperation, and resilience have been remarkable. Porter County remains fully committed to restoring our communities and supporting residents every step of the way.

Porter County Government has set up a central source of information related to the august 11, 2026 storm and ongoing recovery efforts. Please visit https://www.portercountyin.gov/2170/August-11-2026-Derecho-Storm-Resources regularly for updated information.

08/13/2026

Porter County Government offices will be open for business tomorrow, Friday, with normal business hours.

08/13/2026

Porter County Government will be closed Thursday while we continue to recover from the aftermath of Tuesday's storm.

08/12/2026

Porter County Government offices will be closed today due to issues from yesterday's storm.

08/12/2026

BUSINESS DELAY

We have a delayed start today (10:30) and if power is not restored by 8am we will remain closed.

01/27/2026

Event Name: Elevate Porter County: Community Workshop
Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Time: 5-7 p.m. (open house format – arrive anytime)
Location: Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Cost: Free and open to the public

Event Description:
Join an interactive community workshop where we'll conduct a comprehensive "wellness check" on Porter County's most pressing challenges!

Porter County stands at a turning point. What we choose now determines where we go next. The economic foundations that built Porter County are evolving. The industries that sustained our grandparents have transformed. And while new residents continue to choose our communities, population growth alone won't guarantee our prosperity. It's time to be intentional about our future.

This collaborative event brings together residents from across the county to help diagnose our shared issues, prescribe solutions, and chart a path forward that leverages our strengths. Help shape the future of Porter County through hands-on activities, meaningful conversations, and direct input on the policies that will guide our community for decades to come!

This is an open-house-style event with exhibits and activities designed to engage the community in actively planning the county's future. Arrive anytime after 5 p.m. and stay as long as your schedule allows. The planning team will be available to connect, answer questions, and hear your ideas.

01/27/2026

Porter County Invites Residents to Shape the
Future at Community Workshop

VALPARAISO, IN – Tuesday, January 27 – Porter County will host a community workshop on Monday, February 23, from 5-7 p.m. at the Porter County Expo Center (215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383) as part of the Elevate Porter County Comprehensive Plan. The event will provide the community with an opportunity to participate in an assessment of the county's economic and community health.

Porter County stands at a turning point. The economic foundations that built the county are evolving, and the industries that sustained previous generations have transformed. While new residents continue to choose these communities, population growth alone will not guarantee prosperity.

"We have an opportunity right now that won't come again," says Porter County Commissioner Ed Morales. "Our children and grandchildren will inherit the decisions we make today. This isn't about whether Porter County grows; it's about whether we grow with intention. Will we be a county where businesses want to invest, where young families can build futures, and where our existing residents thrive? That depends on us participating, speaking up, and choosing the path forward together."

The workshop will feature interactive stations and facilitated conversations where participants can explore what saying "yes" to the right development, industries, and investments could mean for Porter County's future. This is a chance for residents to help write Porter County's next chapter with purpose.

The event is free and open to all Porter County residents, workers, and stakeholders. Register on the event page to save your spot by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elevate-porter-county-community-workshop-tickets-1981232208870?aff=oddtdtcreator !

Event Details:
What: Elevate Porter County Community Workshop
When: Monday, February 23, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Porter County Expo Center, 215 E Division Rd, Valparaiso, IN 46383

About Elevate Porter County and Engagement To-Date
The Elevate Porter County Comprehensive Plan is our community’s chance to create a long-term vision for how we grow, develop, and invest in the places we call home. By participating, you can influence what Porter County will look like for future generations.

During the first phase of engagement, from June through August 2025, the Elevate Porter County team reached over 1,000 residents through in-person and online engagement, gathering feedback on what people value most today and what they hope to see tomorrow.

These diverse engagement activities revealed strong community consensus around preserving rural character while addressing critical infrastructure and housing challenges, with notable concerns about proposed large-scale land and utility uses.

To learn more about the feedback we received in Phase 1, check out the Engagement Summary athttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/68010e1c41291b4bd21cd5ff/t/69696208a700543ae5e19048/1768514056805/20260116-ElevatePorterCounty-EngagementSummary-Phase1.pdf .

For more information about the Elevate Porter County Comprehensive Plan, visit elevateportercounty.com or contact [email protected].

12/31/2025