More than a week after severe storms knocked out power across Northwest Indiana on August 11, some Gary residents could be without electricity for more than two weeks as restoration efforts stretch into Tuesday (August 25).
Northern Indiana Public Service Company's (NIPSCO) website indicated on Thursday (August 20) morning that power in parts of Gary may not be restored until Tuesday, according to CBS News Chicago.
“That’s ridiculous. It’s unacceptable. They need to do better,” Gary resident Bridget Sanders told CBS News Chicago. “We are being left behind every time something goes on. Gary is left behind. We are the last ones on the totem pole to get anything done.”
The extended restoration timeline comes as Gary residents continue documenting the growing strain of life without electricity. On Wednesday (August 19), BIN reported that residents were posting videos showing a lack of food, sweltering homes and even power outages in local hotels.
For Cynthia Hunter, the outage has meant finding creative ways to escape the heat. Hunter told CBS News Chicago she has been without power for 10 days and is “exhausted.” Her family has kept their windows open for air and has charged phones and other electronics in their vehicle.
They have also spent several nights sleeping in their car or truck to stay cool.
“It’s hard, guys. It’s really, really hard,” Hunter said.
The damage has also made restoration difficult. Utility crews are working to repair nearly 300 damaged power poles, according to CBS News Chicago, while downed trees and debris continue to complicate repairs. The Aetna neighborhood was among the hardest hit, with large trees and debris still lining some streets.
There are some signs of recovery. Several Broadway restaurants have reportedly reopened, while Gary schools remain closed through the end of the week.
Food influencer Keith Lee, who posted a TikTok video earlier this week questioning why the prolonged outage hadn’t made national news earlier, plans to visit Gary this weekend. He said he hopes to help provide meals or supplies to residents affected by the outage.
But for residents who have already endured more than a week without electricity, Tuesday can’t come soon enough.
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