Indiana woman startled awake as 2 raccoons crash through ceiling and land on her

A quiet night at home turned into a bizarre wildlife encounter for one Indiana woman when two raccoons crashed through her ceiling and landed on top of her while she was asleep.

Here's what to know

A video of the scene was shared with 6ABC Action News, which showed what the Hammond, Indiana, woman saw when she woke up.

6ABC later posted the footage to TikTok, writing, "Video by Amya Maxwell shows the aftermath of her home after the raccoons fell through her living room ceiling while she was asleep on the couch.

@6abcactionnews

A woman was startled awake when two raccoons crashed through her home ceiling in Hammond, Indiana, and landed on top of her. Video by Amya Maxwell shows the aftermath of her home after the raccoons fell through her living room ceiling while she was asleep on her couch. The animals are seen tangled up in blinds as plaster and debris are strewn about the room. Maxwell told Storyful she was an animal lover, and so was not scared by the furry home intruders. She said she managed to safely guide the pair to the door using dog food, which the animals "grabbed a handful" of before leaving. "The raccoons were not harmed and had a safe landing on top of myself as I was sleeping directly where they fell through," the source told Storyful.

♬ original sound - 6abc Action News - 6abc Action News

The outlet added, "Maxwell told Storyful she was an animal lover, and so was not scared by the furry home intruders. She said she managed to safely guide the pair to the door using dog food, which the animals 'grabbed a handful' of before leaving."

More background

Raccoons commonly move into attics, crawl spaces, and other parts of homes. They are highly adaptable animals, and residential buildings can offer warmth, shelter, and protection from predators.

Human expansion, easy access to food waste, and buildings that create nesting opportunities all bring wildlife like raccoons and people into closer contact. Even when animals are not naturally aggressive, cramped indoor spaces can make a chaotic encounter more likely, as the BBC explained.

Prevention is usually the best defense against unwanted wildlife encounters. That means checking for roof gaps, damaged vents, or other small openings that can become entry points for animals looking for shelter.

It can also help to reduce the attractants that draw raccoons closer in the first place. Securing trash bins, bringing pet food indoors, cleaning up fallen fruit, and trimming tree branches away from a roof can make a property less inviting.

If animals are already inside, experts generally advise against trying to remove them yourself. Raccoons can scratch or bite when frightened, and they may carry diseases or parasites. A licensed wildlife removal professional can capture the animal and safely assess the situation to prevent re-entry.

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