SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP): Utilities serving northern Indiana say about 60,000 customers lost power as storms packing winds approaching 70 mph buffeted the region.

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. says approximately 35,000 customers lost service during the storms early Thursday, and fewer than 20,000 remained without power that afternoon.

Fort Wayne-based Indiana Michigan Power says about 13,000 Indiana customers lost power, and Kosciusko REMC says more than 9,500 of its members lost power. Other REMCs reported more than 2,000 members lost service.

The National Weather Service says a trained spotter measured a 68 mph gust in Allen County.