Full Breakdown
Prolonged Power Outage in Gary, Indiana After August Derecho
8/24/2026, 9:51:14 PM
The Storm and Immediate Outage
On August 11, a fast-moving derecho swept across northwestern Indiana with straight-line winds reported at 90 mph and gusts up to 110 mph. The storm toppled mature trees onto power lines, knocked down hundreds of poles and caused widespread flooding. Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) recorded a peak of 374,500 customers without electricity across its service area.
Restoration Efforts and Timeline
NIPSCO mobilized crews, mutual-aid contractors and assistance from neighboring utilities, stating that “no outage is being overlooked.” It projected that most remaining customers in Gary and Portage would have power restored by the end of the following Tuesday. State officials also intervened, deploying the Indiana National Guard and multiple state agencies to clear debris and support utility crews.
Data and Statistics
- Peak outages: 374,500 customers (NIPSCO).
- Restored by mid-August: over 340,000 customers.
- Remaining outages reported on August 23: 16,476 accounts still without power; roughly 9,000 of those were in Gary.
- Other outlets cited higher figures for Gary alone (e.g., more than 14,500 on a Sunday, 10,187 the next day, and 33,124 still dark on an earlier Saturday).
Impact on Residents
Extended darkness forced residents to rely on car batteries for phone charging, generators for medical devices, and makeshift cooling for food. Spoiled food, depleted cash supplies and rising hotel costs were reported. Schools in Gary remained closed for several days, and low-income households struggled to obtain ice, water and basic supplies, prompting community food lines and emergency shelters.
Official Statements & Responses
- Governor Braun emphasized the deployment of National Guard units and state agency teams to clear routes for utility crews.
- NIPSCO highlighted the engagement of additional contractor crews, nationwide mutual-aid support, and a temporary suspension of disconnections for customers facing billing difficulties.
Criticism & Opposition
Residents filed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging that NIPSCO failed to trim trees, making the outage “predictable” and “preventable.” Attorney Otto Shragal of the Allen Law Group highlighted the alleged negligence, while NIPSCO noted its vegetation-management spend has more than doubled since 2016 and that it maintains an active program. Gary’s vice-president of the Common Council, Darren Washington, called the two-week delay “absolutely unacceptable.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Residents described living “like the apocalypse,” with some sleeping in cars and others unable to afford generator fuel. One mother drove 30 minutes into Illinois for ice; a senior citizen reported having only $13 left until the next benefit payment. Community organizations, churches and nonprofits distributed meals, water, clothing and temporary shelter throughout the outage period.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Outage counts for Gary vary widely: USA Today cites 9,000 customers without power on August 23, The Guardian reports more than 14,500 on a Sunday and 10,187 the next day, while WFYI notes over 41,500 still dark two weeks after the storm. No source provides a definitive, up-to-date figure, leaving the exact scale of remaining outages unclear.
What’s Next
Governor Braun has requested a major disaster declaration from FEMA to unlock additional federal assistance for the affected counties. NIPSCO’s projected restoration timeline remains tied to the completion of extensive line repairs and vegetation clearance.
