More than 10K still without power after NW Indiana storms

(GARY, Ind.) – While the flood recovery continues locally, there are other parts of the state that have been impacted by severe weather this month.

A derecho struck Northwest Indiana on August 11 and brought winds of more than 100 miles-per-hour. It destroyed homes, downed countless trees and caused a prolonged power outage.

Nearly two weeks later, more than 10,000 homes and businesses remain without power. 

NIPSCO is the electric provider in the region and says crews are working around the clock. 

They have already restored electricity to 364,400 homes but there remains 10,000 who are still in the dark. 

On Monday, Governor Mike Braun called for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to launch an investigation into NIPSCO due to the prolonged outages. 

“NIPSCO is a monopoly utility that Hoosiers pay every month with the expectation that it will use its considerable resources to maintain its system, prepare for severe weather and restore service as quickly as possible when disaster strikes. NIPSCO has failed to keep its end of the bargain," said Gov. Braun.

The governor is asking for a review of NIPSCO’S preparation and response to the storms, whether the utility adequately maintained vegetation and cleared rights-of-way to protect its infrastructure, and whether funding approved by state regulators for infrastructure and reliability improvements was spent as promised.

The Governor emphasized that the crews on the ground, representing both state agencies and utility workers, have done an extraordinary job. However, NIPSCO management has failed to deliver adequate solutions.