Yolanda Ojeda, 65, has been living without electricity at her Locust Avenue home in Gary since August 11. Though she had a generator prepared for emergencies, it failed when she needed it most. Ojeda recounted, “It wouldn’t start after I carried it up my stairs.” She faces additional hardships since she works long hours at Cleveland-Cliffs in East Chicago, returning home late to a dark house and navigating streets without functioning streetlights. “Driving carefully is essential,” she said. “Power lines are down, making roads hazardous.”
Gary residents have been without power since August 11 without any clear indication of restoration from NIPSCO, as the city lacks inclusion in current restoration estimates. This uncertainty also affects Hammond, East Chicago, Lake Station, Portage, New Chicago, and Ogden Dunes, which rely on updated information from the utility provider. NIPSCO’s website states that affected areas not listed are either part of a larger service area or still undergoing assessment.
On August 18, Yolanda Ojeda shared her experiences living without power in Gary, Indiana, emphasizing the need for immediate restoration efforts. Mayor Eddie Melton reassured residents in a statement, “Gary stands by you during these trying times, working daily to address damage and help connect residents with needed resources.” As of Tuesday, August 22, at 2:30 p.m., 26,836 Gary residents remain powerless.
A fallen power line in Ojeda’s yard, resulting from a neighbor’s tree collapsing, remains unaddressed by NIPSCO or its contractors. Despite this, Ojeda maintains a positive outlook, thankful for safety and employment. “Others face harsher circumstances,” she acknowledged.
Across NIPSCO’s service area, 95,161 customers still lack power. A prior statement explains, “All available resources, including local crews, mutual aid, and the Indiana National Guard, are mobilized. We share customers’ frustration and aim to restore service quickly. Restoration depends on the damage’s severity. Larger infrastructure repairs must precede work in individual neighborhoods. Community importance and restoration priorities are guided by system needs, safety, and effective customer service.”
Residents like Ollicia England, 43, and her aunt also face prolonged outages. Her aunt’s heart condition necessitated purchasing generators, averaging costs between $400 and $700. England highlighted their shared struggles, “Older residents dealing with house heat must brave the porch for relief.” Neighbor Moses Kearney, 54, shares costly expenses, spending on gas and food due to cooker reliance. Kearney expressed frustration over perceived disparities in restoration focus, “Gary needs greater attention as expenses surge.”
Derek Zugic, 44, his family, and their multiple homes in Gary’s Miller neighborhood endure powerlessness. “Continuous power loss challenges us,” Zugic reflected, noting the pre-existing condition of overgrown trees threatening power lines. Kresge, faced with a downed tree, works to restore his surroundings.
Zugic appreciates linemen’s timely effort, observing progress in the Miller area post-storm. “With better maintenance before the storm, circumstances might differ,” Zugic concluded.
Community resources are depleting due to the high demand. The Calumet Township Trustee’s Office expended emergency food voucher funds assisting 773 residents. “Community urgency surpassed available resources,” a Facebook post explained, urging residents to contact officials for further disaster support. Township relief initiatives continue with incoming resources.
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana plans several upcoming pop-up Mobile Markets to aid affected residents. Scheduled events at Living Hope Church, Portage High School, and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana offer food supplies. Gary Community Schools also launched food distribution events at various local centers to assist families in need.