Restoration Efforts and Community Frustrations Following Northwest Indiana Storms

Thousands remain without power in Northwest Indiana following last Tuesday’s storms. Community leaders and residents express frustration over the slow pace of restoration and lack of communication from NIPSCO. A Sunday night message on restoration times failed to mention several of the hardest-hit communities.

As of Monday morning, NIPSCO reported 102,000 customers without power. About 75% of these outages stem from last week’s storms. The utility experienced a record outage, affecting 301,000 customers at the peak.

Johnny Brown, left, moves a large chunk of maple tree with the help of Ray Parpart and Travis Conrad while clearing downed trees in a neighbor’s yard on Hamilton Street in Portage, Indiana. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

NIPSCO initially estimated that 90% of power would be restored by August 18. The final 10% would resolve by August 21. Sunday’s message detailed specific community restoration times through Wednesday but omitted large communities like Gary, Munster, and others, stirring thousands of frustrated comments on social media.

NIPSCO clarified that if a community wasn’t listed, it might still be under assessment or part of a larger service area. Individual cases could extend beyond provided times. Dyer Town Council President Bob Starkey expressed concerns over the pace of restoration, citing a lack of detailed response from NIPSCO.

One of the hundreds of trees damaged in Munster due to winds in excess of 90 mph and a confirmed tornado during Tuesday’s storms. (Christin Nance Lazerus/Post-Tribune)

Starkey later reported a productive conversation with NIPSCO President and COO Vince Parisi. Four source points bringing power to Dyer were highlighted for work, with results anticipated shortly.

NIPSCO attributed restoration delays to the damage’s complexity. Resources mobilized include NIPSCO crews, mutual aid, contractors, and National Guard support. The priority lies in restoring service efficaciously while considering damage severity.

Facility Service Advisor Guy Trueblood clears downed debris at Family Express after the storm passed through Valparaiso, Indiana. (Andy Lavalley/for the Chicago Tribune)

Starkey acknowledged unprecedented damage. Compared to previous events, current outages are worse in scope. In Dyer, essential infrastructure continues to operate on generators. The town allocated $45,000 for storm cleanup. Cooling centers and food assistance are available for residents in need.

Highland faced significant outages, leading Council President George Georgeff to seek NIPSCO’s assistance. Communication issues persist, with contractors awaiting directives and residents feeling ignored.

NIPSCO’s approach gained scrutiny from Georgeff, who intends to ask the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for an investigation into their response to the emergency. Rising rates and inadequate planning remain points of contention.

In neighboring communities, mayors voiced their dissatisfaction with NIPSCO’s response. Lake Station Mayor Bill Carroll lamented exclusion from restoration estimates, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment. Gary and East Chicago face similar exclusions, fueling further discontent.

Ricardo Camarena lifts his neighbor Rayshawn Hackey while playing on tree roots after the storm in Gary, Indiana. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Citizens Action Coalition’s Ben Inskeep noted the potential for NIPSCO to seek financial recoupment through the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Storm-related costs could affect future rate cases.

While acknowledging long hours and risky conditions for NIPSCO workers, Inskeep encouraged the public to offer gratitude. Speedy restoration relies on undisturbed efforts by dedicated linemen.