Gary Mayor Calls for Infrastructure Improvements Following Power Outages

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Following a severe storm in 2026, thousands of residents in Gary, Indiana, experienced a two-week power outage that disrupted local businesses, fuel supplies, and residential living. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and Indiana Governor Mike Braun called for infrastructure improvements and investigations into the response of the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a private utility partially owned by Blackstone. The storm, which featured winds compared to a Category 2 hurricane, resulted in an estimated $5 billion in damages across Gary and other Indiana communities. Mayor Melton emphasized the need for grid hardening to withstand future extreme weather events.

Consequences

Local officials are seeking state and federal funding to assist residents whose homes sustained personal damage to weatherheads, preventing them from reconnecting to the power grid. Additionally, the event has triggered calls for investigations into the delayed restoration efforts by the private utility provider.

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