- More than 98,000 NIPSCO customers in Northwest Indiana were still without electricity as of Tuesday afternoon.
- Munster and Highland could be among the last communities fully restored.
- NIPSCO estimates full restoration in those areas by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25.
- More than 300,000 customers lost power at the height of last week’s severe storms.
- Crews continue working to repair widespread damage to power lines, poles and other electrical equipment.
Northwest Indiana residents who have already spent a week without electricity may have to wait even longer before their lights come back on.
NIPSCO says some customers in Munster and Highland could remain without power until next week as crews continue tackling extensive storm damage across the region. The utility’s latest estimate calls for full restoration in those communities by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25th according to CBS News.
The outages follow a powerful derecho that moved through the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana on Aug. 11, bringing destructive winds, tornadoes and widespread damage. The National Weather Service confirmed multiple tornadoes in the region, while wind gusts reached nearly 100 mph at Gary/Chicago International Airport.
At the height of the storms, more than 300,000 NIPSCO customers were without power. Although crews have restored electricity to hundreds of thousands of customers, tens of thousands remained in the dark Tuesday.
The prolonged outages have created growing frustration for residents dealing with hot homes, spoiled food, limited phone charging and difficulty keeping up with everyday routines. Some communities have also organized food and other assistance for residents affected by the storm.
NIPSCO says crews and contractors are continuing restoration efforts throughout Northwest Indiana. Officials are urging residents to stay away from downed power lines and damaged electrical equipment as cleanup continues.
For residents in Munster and Highland, the latest estimate means some households could spend nearly two weeks without electricity before service is fully restored.
