Gary, Indiana Residents Face 12-Day Power Outage After Storms

Residents in Gary, Indiana and surrounding areas continue to endure a prolonged power outage following severe storms and flash flooding that struck the Midwest earlier this month.

As of Thursday morning, August 20, Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) reported that 68,000 customers remained without electricity, with most affected areas located in Lake County near the Illinois border. Since August 11, the utility has restored power to 306,500 customers, but full restoration is not expected until Tuesday, August 25, in some areas, including Gary.

The storm, which included a derecho and tornado-like winds, caused significant damage by downing trees and power lines across the region. The prolonged outage has left residents without essential services, forcing many to rely on social media to locate open laundromats, working Wi-Fi hotspots, and sources of food, water, and hygiene supplies.

Gary, a majority Black city, has faced long-standing infrastructure challenges, and the current crisis has amplified concerns about preparedness and response efforts. Community leaders and residents have criticized NIPSCO for insufficient maintenance of power lines and trees, as well as the slow pace of recovery efforts.

Freida Graves, director of Food as Medicine for Faith CDC and a lifelong Gary resident, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the damage from the storm was "unprecedented." She noted that while some preparations could have been made, the scale of the outage has been exacerbated by years of neglected infrastructure maintenance.

"The trees and power lines could have been better maintained," Graves said. "Gary has been named a Tree City multiple times, but without proper upkeep, the damage was inevitable."

She also highlighted the community’s efforts to support vulnerable residents, including seniors, who have been particularly affected by the lack of air conditioning and electricity. "Yesterday, we served over 1,000 people, and today, we sent supplies to senior buildings," she said. "People are coming together, but more needs to be done."

GlenEva Dunham, president of the Gary Teachers Union (AFT Local 4), reported that while schools were safely evacuated during the storm, six of the district’s 10 buildings have since regained power. However, students will not return to classrooms until further assessments are completed.

"Our priority was ensuring the safety of our students and staff," Dunham said. "We are working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible."

The crisis has drawn comparisons to other prolonged outages, with critics arguing that the situation reflects broader systemic failures in infrastructure investment and emergency response. Residents and activists continue to call for accountability from NIPSCO and local officials while organizing mutual aid efforts to assist those most in need.