NIPSCO has canceled two community care center events scheduled Aug. 18 and 19 due to storm response efforts in the Region. The Merrillville-based utility has been hosting community support events instead to help customers affected by storms Aug. 11.
According to the National Weather Service, Northwest Indiana was hit by a derecho that included high winds and tornadoes across northern Illinois and Indiana. The Gary/Chicago International Airport recorded a peak wind gust of 99 mph. Six tornadoes were recorded, including an EF-1 that started in Illinois and ended in Munster, and and EF-2 that started in Illinois and ended in Crown Point.
NISPCO reported Aug. 17 that 102,000 customers remain without power. The utility said it has restored service to 236,000 residents since the storm last week. More than 60% of NIPSCO's electric customers were without power after the Aug. 11 storm, making it one of the largest in the company's history. Subsequent weather events through Aug. 16 boosted the total number of outages to 338,000.
The Indiana National Guard also supported thousands of NIPSCO employees, contractors and other organizations are helping to restore power to customers. FEMA also is offering federal disaster assistance.
“At my direction, our state agencies, the Indiana National Guard and emergency response teams are working around the clock alongside local officials and first responders,” said Gov. Mike Braun in a press release. “Our response is fully mobilized, and we will continue putting every available resource behind keeping Hoosiers safe and helping our communities recover.”
Braun declared a disaster emergency Aug. 13.
NIPSCO's next update is expected at 4 p.m. Aug. 17. The company expects power to be fully restored to the Region by noon Aug. 21.
Here are the expected community-specific restoration estimates:
11:59 p.m. Aug. 18: Beverly Shores, Cedar Lake, Crown Point, Hanna, Hebron, Kouts, Laporte, Long Beach, Lowell, Michigan City, Saint John, Schneider, Sumava Resorts, Union Mills
5 p.m. Aug. 19: Demotte, Hobart, Kingsbury, Kingsford Heights, Merrillville, Michiana Shores, Mill Creek, Porter, Shelby, Rolling Prairie, Wanatah, Westville
11:59 p.m. Aug. 19: Chesterton, Dyer, Schererville, Valparaiso
Residents can stop by several locations for bottled water, meals and snacks and device charging stations. The support centers also will have information on safety, service restoration and other resources.
Locations will serve 500 meals at noon and 4:30 p.m. each.
Monday, Aug. 17
- La Porte: La Porte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St.
- Gary: YWCA Northern Indiana, 150 W. 15th Ave.
Tuesday, Aug. 18
- Merrillville: Dean & Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway
- Highland: Highland Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln St.
NIPSCO will remain in state of emergency response through Aug. 21.
St. John Baptist Church, 2457 Massachusetts St. in Gary also is offering free meals between noon and 2 p.m. Aug. 18.
North Township residents in East Chicago, Griffith, Hammond, Highland, Munster and Whiting are encouraged to apply for a $50 Strack & Van Till gift card at 2100 Broadway St. in East Chicago and 5947 Hohman Ave. in Hammond.
Salvation Army's Lake County locations were without power, but served meals throughout last week. Donations are encouraged here.
Lower Lincoln, 212 Lincolnway in downtown Valparaiso, is opening to the community from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17-19 for free Wi-Fi, coffee and open seating.
Merrillville-based NIPSCO serves about 900,000 natural gas and 500,000 electric customers in Northern Indiana. NIPSCO also offers several energy assistance programs. Learn more here.
