Full Breakdown
Power Restoration Near Completion in Gary, Indiana After Derecho-Driven Outages
8/27/2026, 8:42:47 AM
Restoration Progress
More than two weeks after a violent derecho and accompanying tornadoes knocked out electricity for the majority of its customers, the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) reported that restoration efforts are “substantially complete.” As of the latest update, just over 100 of Gary’s roughly 69,000 residents still lack power, while outages elsewhere in the utility’s service area have fallen below 150. Crews continue to address isolated cases, but the broader grid is back online.
Storm Impact
The event also spawned a 26-mile EF-2 tornado that reached peak winds of about 110 mph, damaging roofs and uprooting trees. Official counts indicate seven storm-related deaths across Indiana, including one in Lake County, where Gary is located.
Official Statements & Responses
NIPSCO’s president and CEO Vince Parisi thanked customers for their patience and emphasized that thousands of workers had been deployed around the clock to complete restoration.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The current pace of restoration is unacceptable.” — Gary Mayor Eric Melton
- “NIPSCO is a monopoly utility that Hoosiers pay every month with the expectation that it will use its considerable resources to maintain its system, prepare for severe weather and restore service as quickly as possible when disaster strikes,” — Gov. Mike Braun
- “This was the worst damage we have ever seen, and we are grateful for the patience from our customers,” — Vince Parisi, president and CEO
