Home / Disasters and Accidents / Indiana Reels: 11 Days Without Power as Aid Arrives
Indiana Reels: 11 Days Without Power as Aid Arrives
23 Aug
Summary
- Nearly 30,000 residents in Indiana remained without power on Saturday.
- Governor asked federal government for major disaster declaration.
- Chicago Bears donated $200,000 to aid storm-affected families.
As of Saturday, August 22, 2026, approximately 30,000 residents in northwestern Indiana's Lake and Porter counties were still without power, marking 11 days since severe storms swept the region. The storms, which occurred on August 11, brought high winds, heavy rain, and tornadoes, causing widespread flooding and significant damage.
Governor Mike Braun stated that state agencies are working to clear debris and support utility crews. He has requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government, with property damage estimates exceeding $5 billion. Braun also urged NIPSCO, the local electric utility, to expedite restoration efforts and bring in more resources.
NIPSCO acknowledged the frustration of extended outages and assured customers that crews are working diligently to restore power to all remaining customers. The utility expressed commitment to completing the recovery effort as quickly and safely as possible.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, the Chicago Bears organization has pledged $200,000 in aid to communities impacted by the storms. This donation is split between Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary. World Central Kitchen is also on the ground in Gary, distributing meals to families facing power outages and food insecurity.
