Tens of thousands of electric customers in northwestern Indiana remained without power more than a week after a powerful derecho swept through the region on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, according to the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO). The storm system produced wind gusts reaching 99 mph in Gary, Indiana, and triggered widespread outages affecting up to 374,500 customers.
Extent of Outages and Restoration Timeline
Nearly two weeks after the storms brought down trees, power lines, and dozens of transmission poles, more than 38,000 customers were still in the dark, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Brian Lada. Full power restoration in hard-hit areas like Gary and Portage is not expected until Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The restoration effort suffered an additional setback on Friday morning when transmission equipment failure created new outages in select areas, according to utility reports.
Community Impact and Daily Challenges
Residents have endured uncomfortably warm indoor conditions as high temperatures reached the 80s on most days following the derecho, with overnight lows lingering in the upper 60s and lower 70s. “We’re trying to maintain, but it’s not easy,” Gary resident Cynthia Hunter told CBS News, noting that she and her family used their vehicle to charge electronic devices and spent several nights sleeping in their car for air conditioning. Local organizations have stepped in to distribute hot meals, basic supplies, and set up charging stations. Meanwhile, the Gary Community School Corporation reported that its schools have remained closed for more than a week while facilities teams assess buildings and address safety concerns.
Legal Action and Grid Challenges
The prolonged blackouts have prompted legal action against the utility provider. A class-action lawsuit was filed against NIPSCO in circuit court as storm power outages continued across northwestern Indiana, compounded by transmission line setbacks in towns like Schererville. In Hammond, residents living in at least eight homes surrounded by powered blocks reported seeking answers from NIPSCO as they remained disconnected. Utility crews continue working around the clock to repair hundreds of damaged power poles, aided by a forecast calling for cooler and less humid conditions with highs dropping into the 70s.
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