NIPSCO, an Indiana utility company, restored power to the city of Gary, Indiana, on August 26, 2026, after a derecho caused widespread outages on August 11. The storm affected over 370,000 customers, with more than half of Gary's residents losing power. NIPSCO reported that by the evening of August 26, 99 percent of its customers had their electricity restored, although some residents remained without power. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton noted the situation was not just a local issue but affected all of northwest Indiana. As power was restored in other areas, residents in Gary expressed frustration over the delays in restoration efforts. Many reported food spoilage and difficulties accessing basic necessities due to non-functional streetlights and damaged infrastructure.
Relief efforts began to reach the city, but some residents faced limitations on the amount of assistance they could receive. Concerns were raised about the impact on vulnerable populations, including seniors who struggled without power. As restoration efforts continued, some neighborhoods remained without electricity, and residents reported flickering lights even after power was restored. Experts noted that climate change is contributing to increased storm severity, which poses challenges for utility companies in maintaining infrastructure. Gary has faced long-standing infrastructure issues, exacerbated by economic decline. NIPSCO has a monopoly on electricity in the area, and residents have historically paid high utility rates. As power was restored, residents began to restock supplies and address health needs affected by the outage. Indiana Governor Mike Braun requested an investigation into NIPSCO's maintenance practices, and President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Indiana to facilitate recovery efforts.