Frustration builds in Indiana town struggling without power for 12 days

Tens of thousands of people in Gary, Indiana, are still without power 12 days after a damaging storm struck the town, with many relying on friends and family for support. The 77-year-old Terry Dubois has been relying on non-perishable food and a power bank to charge her phone, and while the summer heat hasn’t been too punishing, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. The storm, which brought flooding and tornadoes to the US Midwest, has had a lasting impact on the town.

The former industrial town of Gary was hit particularly hard, with wind gusts peaking at 99mph and over 345,000 customers affected by the power outage. While power has been restored to many, almost 30,000 are still without power, according to the area’s electrical company Northern Indiana Public Service Company (Nipsco). As the outage stretches into a second week, global food charity World Central Kitchen has arrived to help people without access to food.

• Over 345,000 customers have had their power restored since the storm struck
• Almost 30,000 are still without power as of Sunday morning
• Global food charity World Central Kitchen has arrived to help people without access to food
• A class-action lawsuit has been launched against the utility company Nipsco

Gary Residents Struggle to Cope

Residents of Gary have struggled to source food and maintain good hygiene, with many unable to refrigerate medication and some wheelchair users unable to use lifts. At night, some roads have been pitch black without working street lights, making it difficult for people to navigate. The situation has been particularly challenging for those caring for elderly or vulnerable relatives.

Kyle Allen, a Gary resident, has faced shorter power outages before, but this experience has been different as he has started caring for his 95-year-old father. He has bought a generator to sustain them, but many others are not so fortunate. As Watan News reports, the situation is becoming increasingly desperate.

Demond Pompy and Shatiya Hardin Speak Out

Demond Pompy, who has been grilling food in Gary during the power outage, told Reuters that taking a shower and flushing the toilet are things people take for granted, but defiantly added: “One thing about us, we’re going to adapt to any situation”. Shatiya Hardin, meanwhile, said the situation has been “absolutely horrible”, with residents struggling to cope with the lack of power and basic amenities.

Nipsco Faces Class-Action Lawsuit

Amid mounting frustration, local residents have launched a class-action lawsuit against the utility company Nipsco, accusing them of failing to adequately prepare for and respond to the storm. The lawsuit claims that Nipsco’s actions have caused significant harm and distress to residents, and seeks compensation for those affected.