Crisis in Indiana after Gary residents left without power and water 2 weeks after storm

Nearly 12,000 people in northwest Indiana were still without power Monday, nearly two weeks after deadly storms wrecked the region, downing trees and power lines.

Severe storms and flooding swept across the state on August 11, leaving over 374,500 without power at its peak.

The storm impacted hundreds of structures, triggered water rescues and left at least seven people dead, while many others were left in desperate need of food and water, the Indiana State Emergency Operations Center said.

The crisis persisted Monday, as over 11,800 outages were still ongoing in Lake County, Porter County and Randolph County.

Residents in Munster, Portage, Hammond, Lake Station and Merrillville all remained without power — although two-thirds of the remaining outages were in Gary, on the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

The area’s electrical provider, Northern Indiana Public Service Company, says it estimates power will be restored to Munster by 11:59 p.m. Monday, while Gary and Portage should see it restored by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.

However, the estimates “should not be interpreted as the exact restoration time for an individual home or business,” the company warned.

The town of Gary was hit particularly hard by the storm, which the National Weather Service preliminarily identified as a derecho — or fast-moving bands of thunderstorms often referred to as “inland hurricanes.” These storms most frequently occur from May to August.

The service said it wouldn’t have a firm analysis on the storm until next year.

The derecho saw wind gusts in Gary peak at 99 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Days later, residents still report damage and debris in the streets — and many even remain under a boil advisory for water. Even without electricity, students in Gary returned to school on Monday, with the district operating on a two-hour delay.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said that while the power company was making progress, it was still “unacceptable” that thousands of residents in the city are still without power nearly two weeks after the storm wreaked havoc on the region.

“We’re at day 12, and 12 days is too long for families to be without power,” Melton said in a video address shared online Sunday.

“Twelve days is too long for parents to worry about their children, and for businesses to lose revenue, and for families to wonder when the relief is finally going to come. Today, I want the people of Gary to know this. I want you to know that I share their frustration.”