Indiana Gov. Mike Braun calls for investigation of NIPSCO over weekslong storm outages

Almost two weeks since power was knocked out in Northwest Indiana, nearly 10,000 homes and businesses were still in the dark on Monday afternoon, and Gov. Mike Braun was calling for an investigation of NIPSCO over the prolonged outages.

Braun directed the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor to file a complaint with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and petition for an investigation into NIPSCO's handling of the widespread power outages caused by severe storms on Aug. 11. Braun called for a review of whether NIPSCO properly cleared trees to protect power lines before the storms, and whether money was used to improve infrastructure as promised.

"NIPSCO is a monopoly utility that Hoosiers pay every month with the expectation that it will use its considerable resources to maintain its system, prepare for severe weather and restore service as quickly as possible when disaster strikes. NIPSCO has failed to keep its end of the bargain," said Gov. Braun. "I'm directing the OUCC to file a complaint and petition the IURC to launch an investigation so we can determine whether NIPSCO did what it promised ratepayers and regulators it would do with the money it was given. Hoosiers deserve accountability."  

As of Monday afternoon, more than 9,500 NIPSCO customers were still without power, with more than 7,100 of those outages in Gary.

Most students in Gary were able to return to school on Monday. The Gary Community School Corporation also announced on Sunday that school would resume on Monday and would be operating on a two-hour delay for students.

Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said NIPSCO is making progress, but it is not good enough.

"I stayed in strict communication with NIPSCO, and I have made it very clear that the current pace of restoration is unacceptable," he said Sunday.

On Sunday, Braun announced that he deployed the Indiana National Guard to help clear the way for NIPSCO crews. ComEd also sent dozens of crews to help assist in restoration efforts.

Braun wrote in an X post that there is "no excuse for these delays."

In a statement on his call for an investigation of NIPSCO, Braun said crews on the ground "have done an extraordinary job," but "NIPSCO management has failed to deliver adequate solutions."

Mayor Melton said 700 NIPSCO linemen and 300 vegetation crews are dedicated to Gary alone. 

Influencer Keith Lee and Salvation Army organize giveaway of food, clean-up kits, and other supplies

Meanwhile, a popular social media influencer named Keith Lee heard about Gary's struggle, and is donating his time and money in a special giveaway at the Roosevelt Pavilion in Gary on Monday.

"We have supplies until they run out. We got a DJ coming for music. We got a bunch of food trucks — shoutout to every food truck that wants to participate," said Lee. "The buzz I've heard from Gary, Indiana, has been amazing."

The Salvation Army said Lee reached out to them to help local volunteers provide resources to families affected by the storms. Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton also matched Lee's financial donation to help distribute food and flood recovery clean-up kits, including liquid disinfectants, laundry and dish detergent, gloves, sponges, mops, and other supplies.

Regina Gary showed up at 3 a.m. because she was very excited to meet Lee. But that was not the only reason why she came.

"Not just because I'm a fan, because I actually need it," said Gary. "I currently do not have any lights still, and I'm a caretaker of my 72-year-old mother, and I've got a few pets at home, and things have gotten really slim."

Some people who lined up for Lee's giveaway did have their power back Monday morning, but said more than a week and a half without electricity took a toll nevertheless. Quinton Miller said he hoped the giveaway would take away some stress.

"I've got two daughters, so I'm still trying to get everything I can as far as food, resources and stuff like that, so I'm just trying to make sure that I can get as much as I can for my kids," Miller said.

Appreciation ran deep at Monday's giveaway. Lines were long and patience thin on day 13 of the outages in Gary.

"We thought we were forgotten about, and it's taken them so long to help us," Gary resident Willette Wright said.

Wright blamed NIPSCO for letting trees get too big in critical areas of Gary before the Aug. 11 storms.

"NIPSCO has not kept their promise," Wright said. "We had no electricity 7 days, 8 days, 9 days, 10 days, 11 days. Some people are now on 13 days."

For Sonji Williams, rock bottom arrived on Monday.

"I don't know how I'm getting through this, I really don't," she said. "Every day, it get more difficult when you go without power. … Inhumane, that's how it feels."

For Willams and others, Monday's giveaway provided a bit of humanity they felt was sorely needed.

"I tell every vendor I've been going up to how thankful we are for them," she said.

Sabrea Washington and Jeremiah McCoy called the giveaway "a blessing" for their family of four.

"Grateful and thankful for people doing this, because a lot of people still don't have power, a lot of people still don't have food," McCoy said.

For their family, who got power back on Wednesday, the ordeal has been costly and mentally draining, but an education.

 "Be thankful and grateful for what you have," McCoy said.

More than 1,000 meals and 1,000 drinks were handed out at Monday's giveaway. More than 2,000 buckets of emergency supplies also were handed out. Additional giveaways are planned for Saturday and Sunday at Roosevelt Park in Gary.

NIPSCO predicts most customers will have power back by Tuesday night, a full two weeks after the storm that caused the outage.