Portage community cleans up after severe storm and deadly home explosion

PORTAGE, Ind. — Joni Rainwater and her children were walking along Harrison Avenue Tuesday afternoon when the house in front of them suddenly exploded into flames. The blast knocked them to the ground, and left her 14-year-old daughter covered in burning debris. Killed inside the home was Leona Rice, 86. Neighbors helped Rainwater pulled the teen from the debris. It all happened just as severe storms were beginning to sweep through the area, toppling trees, downing power lines and damaging…