Motorists should use extreme caution when driving tonight as high winds are knocking down limbs and even trees.

Just before 11 p.m., Kosciusko County Central Dispatch received a call about a tree that had been blown down on CR 400 North just east of CR 400 West. The tree was blocking both lanes of travel.

Winds are currently steady out of the NNW at 28 mph with gusts to 37 mph. Throughout the night and into Tuesday morning, however, winds will become sustained at about 35 mph and gusts are expected to increase to as much as 50 mph which could result in more problems.

NIPSCO is currently reporting outages in the Michigan City, LaPorte, Hammond, Chesterton and Gary areas near Lake Michigan, but as the winds increase, additional outages are possible.

To report an outage, call 1-800-464-7726.