Power Outages Continue in Northwest Indiana After Severe Storms

Tens of thousands remain without power in northwest Indiana over a week after severe storms caused widespread damage. The Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) reported that as of late Wednesday afternoon, 75,000 customers were still in the dark, primarily in Lake County near the Illinois border.

Residents of Gary, where over 20,000 are without power, are particularly affected. They rely on community centers for hot meals and charging stations. NIPSCO announced full power restoration in Gary is not expected until August 25.

‘These aren’t simple repairs,’ said Melody Birmingham from NIPSCO’s parent company. ‘These are systems that are being rebuilt.’

The storm brought 99 mph winds, causing extensive damage. Around 300 poles and 44 power transmission poles require repair or replacement in Gary alone. Birmingham emphasized the challenge of repairs and acknowledged the hardship caused by losing perishable food and enduring heat without air conditioning.

Jeremy Spurrier of Portage, approximately 40 miles southwest of Chicago, considers himself fortunate to own a generator. However, he spends $75 daily on gas to operate it and relies on nonperishable food. To refrigerate his insulin, he frequently drives to Illinois for ice.

Gary, with its significant Black population, feels heavily impacted, prompting resident frustration over perceived neglect. Birmingham dismissed claims of discrimination and stressed that customer outages occur regardless of race or income. ‘It’s really a matter of where the storm hit.’

Mayor Eddie Melton of Gary has recognized residents’ frustrations, noting that over 600 workers are striving to restore power. ‘This is clearly not just a Gary situation. It is a northwest Indiana situation,’ Melton stated.

The storms have claimed the lives of several individuals, including a 4-year-old boy and three men and women, marking a significant toll since they began on August 11, according to state Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Liz Woods.

In Whiting, Myra Carden, aged 74, reported no storm damage to her home, yet has endured repeated blackouts. She uses a generator for her refrigerator when someone is present and fears food spoilage. ‘We have a deep freeze in the garage packed full with beef and chicken. I’m sure everything will be thrown away,’ she said.