Overview
- The derecho that struck on Aug. 11 produced winds up to 99 mph and knocked out power across Northwest Indiana, damaging poles, lines and homes.
- NIPSCO says roughly 99% of customers have been restored but about 150 homes and businesses in Gary remain without service as crews finish repairs.
- Many Gary residents spent days to weeks without electricity, which disrupted water and sewage service, spoiled food and medicine, and left more than 100 people in Red Cross shelters.
- Governor Mike Braun has ordered state reviews of NIPSCO’s maintenance and storm response and regulators and lawyers have opened inquiries and lawsuits over tree trimming and preparedness; NIPSCO says it mobilized crews from 14 states and will cooperate with probes.
- Final reconnections are delayed by damaged customer weatherheads that homeowners must fix at their own cost and by the practical need for in‑person FEMA disaster centers and local aid funds to help people pay for repairs.