Northern Indiana Public Service Co. is grateful for the many people who helped them restore power to Northern Indiana customers.

More than 4,00 workers from 14 states helped the company restore power to more than 375,000 customers after a derecho Aug. 11 and subsequent storms.

The utility announced that it had restored power to 99% of customers in Northern Indiana as of 5 p.m. Aug. 25.

The utility is working with a limited number of customers with damaged equipment on their properties.

“Being without power for days is difficult. Being without power for more than a week is extremely challenging, and we understand the burden that puts on families,” said Vince Parisi, president and chief operating officer of NIPSCO, in a press release.

Many residents and businesses experienced prolonged power outages and significant damage to property after a derecho tore through the Region on Aug. 11. Six tornadoes were recorded, including an EF-1 that started in Illinois and ended in Munster, and an EF-2 that started in Illinois and ended in Crown Point, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm knocked out power to about 80% of NIPSCO's customers.

“This was the worst damage we have ever seen, and we are grateful for the patience from our customers,” Parisi said.

NIPSCO reported that the storm's damage was the worst in company history, and that workers “rebuilt significant portions of the electric system in less than two weeks.”

“Thanks to thousands of people working around the clock, restoration is complete, and we're now focused on supporting the communities still recovering,” Parisi said.

First responders, law enforcement and other community groups helped in the process.

“When the storm hit, people came alongside us to help restore power.” Parisi said. “Mutual-aid crews from other utilities, contractors, employees from across our footprint and countless others helped our communities through an incredibly difficult time.”

Gov. Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency on Aug. 13, and is seeking a major disaster declaration from President Donald Trump. The Indiana congressional delegation also sent a letter Aug. 20 to Trump reiterated the urgency of Braun's request.

Braun also has called for an investigation of NIPSCO's response to the storm.

Merrillville-based NIPSCO has been serving Northern Indiana for 100 years, and is a subsidiary of NiSource, which owns six regulated utility companies.