Gary Power Outages Addressed in Press Conference

Angry reactions followed the exclusion of Gary in NIPSCO’s online power restoration timeline. This led to a press conference on Wednesday, held by Mayor Eddie Melton. Residents in Gary, along with thousands across Northwest Indiana, have endured nine days without power since the August 11 storm, affecting 301,000 NIPSCO customers. As of 11 a.m. Thursday, 64,017 customers are without power, including 25,560 in Gary.

At the press conference, Melody Birmingham, president of the Utilities Group at NiSource, joined Mayor Melton to provide updates. She offered a Tuesday estimated restoration time. NiSource is the parent company of NIPSCO.

While some neighborhoods in Gary have regained power, others wait as nearby cities see power return and schools reopen. The 21st Century Charter School in Gary reopened, with Kevin Teasley, president of the GEO Foundation, noting the importance of staying open for students. However, Gary Community School Corp. schools remain closed until power is restored.

Mayor Melton assured residents that Gary was not forgotten. He stated, “We have support. Linemen have worked daily throughout the storm.” Birmingham explained that unprecedented 99 mph winds caused extensive damage in Gary, complicating restoration efforts. She emphasized that repairs involve rebuilding complex systems typically requiring weeks or even months but are being expedited.

Birmingham acknowledged the frustration of residents seeing restoration in other areas while Gary remains in the dark. She stated, “We understand why residents have questions and are seeking answers.” About 17,000 homes in Gary have regained power. According to the National Weather Service, Gary experienced winds equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane at 99 mph. NIPSCO crews initially assessed approximately 2,000 miles of the system on foot to understand the extent of the damage, requiring significant repairs to 291 utility poles and 44 transmission poles.

An incident involving gunshots fired at NIPSCO workers on Rutledge Street did not deter their efforts. Despite the attack, employees from Kentucky and Ohio joined to support restoration, demonstrating commitment to the recovery.

Before the press conference, Birmingham and officials met with local clergy who gathered for a “Prayer for Gary” vigil. Pastor Antoine Goffin organized it, bringing together 82 participants. The prayers aimed to address citywide frustrations and seek answers. The clergy sought clarity from NIPSCO about social media claims, with Goffin stating, “We learned the restoration was not based on socio-economic class but on infrastructure.”