Full Breakdown
Northwest Indiana Grapples with Weeks-Long Power Outages After August 11 Storms
8/23/2026, 3:52:41 AM
The Storm and Outage Overview
On August 11 a derecho-type storm swept across Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky with winds over 80 mph, tornadoes and flash flooding. In northwest Indiana the storm toppled trees onto power lines, damaged more than 300 poles and left NIPSCO without service to hundreds of thousands of customers. By the second week, thousands of residents—especially in Gary and Portage—still lacked electricity, forcing school closures and business shutdowns.
Background & Context
The National Weather Service recorded gusts of 99 mph in Gary. The event caused at least seven deaths statewide and prompted Lake County officials to declare a disaster emergency. Governor Mike Braun requested a major disaster declaration from FEMA for 54 counties.
Data & Statistics
- NIPSCO reported 374,500 customers lost power.
- Service was restored to 341,376 customers, leaving about 33,000 still in the dark.
- In Gary, roughly 52 % of the city’s 67,000 residents remained without power.
- The storm damaged 300 power poles and caused 335 pole failures requiring replacement.
- Estimated property losses exceed $5 billion.
Official Statements & Responses
NIPSCO announced a temporary suspension of disconnections for customers facing bill-pay difficulties. FEMA approved an emergency declaration, unlocking federal assistance and grants of up to $5,000 for affected households. The Indiana National Guard has been deployed to assist utility crews in clearing debris and restoring service.
Criticism & Opposition
A class-action lawsuit filed by the Allen Law Group alleges NIPSCO failed to trim trees adequately, a lapse the plaintiffs call “predictable, obvious and preventable.” NIPSCO says it will vigorously defend itself.
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents report lack of refrigeration, reliance on car batteries for phone charging, and exposure to extreme heat. Community churches and shelters have organized food giveaways, and volunteers note “desperation” among lines of residents.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Outage figures differ: one source cites 33,124 customers without power, another roughly 30,000, and a third 68,000. Restoration timelines also vary, with some estimates projecting full service by the end of the second week and others suggesting delays into the third week. No single source provides a definitive, up-to-date count.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's not OK for us to continually be in survival mode,” — Shatiya Hardin, hair stylist
- “If granted, this declaration will mean significantly more resources to accelerate Indiana's recovery from the recent severe weather,” — Gov. Mike Braun
- “Nine days is a long time for a community to be without power,” — Courtney Page-Tan, IU Indianapolis professor
What’s Next
Governor Braun’s disaster declaration request is pending federal approval; if granted, additional FEMA resources and state relief funds will become available. Utility crews from neighboring states, including ComEd, continue to assist NIPSCO. Community organizations plan ongoing food distributions and charging stations while restoration work proceeds. Residents are urged to report outages to NIPSCO and document damage for insurance and aid claims.
