Story perspectives

NIPSCO Targets Full Restoration for Northwest Indiana by Friday

8/19/2026

Summary

NIPSCO Restores Power

NIPSCO expects to restore power to all northwest Indiana customers by Friday, with 90% restored by Tuesday.
The August 11-13 derecho produced 99 mph gusts at Gary/Chicago International Airport and at least eight tornadoes.
Seven deaths and about 89,200 customers without electricity were reported on August 19.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced $5,000 grants on Monday for storm victims.

Summary

Trump Approves Aid

President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration unlocking up to $5 million in FEMA aid for Indiana.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warned the collapsed Hazel Dell bridge could violently re-channel the White River.
An emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allows households to submit affidavits within 10 days for food assistance.
More than 350 evacuations were ordered for senior mobile-home communities and residents of Carmel and Noblesville.

History

Historical Context

The March 12-13 1993 Storm of the Century, a Gulf-origin superstorm that stretched from Canada to Honduras, knocked out power to over 10 million households and caused 318 deaths and $5.5 billion in damages. It marked the first time the National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings two days before impact. The August 2024 derecho, a recent large-scale wind event, echoes that historic disaster and highlights ongoing infrastructure vulnerability.

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NIPSCO Restores Power

NIPSCO expects to restore power to all northwest Indiana customers by Friday, with 90% restored by Tuesday.
The August 11-13 derecho produced 99 mph gusts at Gary/Chicago International Airport and at least eight tornadoes.
Seven deaths and about 89,200 customers without electricity were reported on August 19.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced $5,000 grants on Monday for storm victims.

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