Gary, Indiana, has been without power for up to ten days after a severe storm on August 11 knocked down trees and power lines across Northwest Indiana. Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) reports that nearly 45,000 customers in the region still lack electricity, and some neighborhoods in Gary may not see service restored until early next week.
Local volunteers step in
Chicago residents are responding with tangible aid. DeAndra Gathings, owner of Rinse Cycle Valet, a South Side laundry pickup and delivery service, launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover free laundry for storm‑affected families in Gary. The fundraiser has drawn 18 donations, bringing it close to its $1,800 goal. Gathings explains that $15 can cover a family’s laundry for a week, $50 for a month and $150 for an entire block of neighbors. She is coordinating drop‑off locations with local churches and relief groups in Gary.
Another effort, organized by the Gary Muslim Center, seeks $25,000 for emergency relief, including clean water, hot meals, gas cards, generators, clothing, emergency housing and other necessities. As of Friday morning the campaign had collected $150 from two donors.
Health and safety concerns
Prolonged outages raise serious health risks. Indiana University Indianapolis professor Courtney Page‑Tan, who studies community resilience, warned that generator use can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, while loss of power threatens medical devices and spoils refrigerated food. “Nine days is a long time for a community to be without power,” she said.
Local residents describe the strain of living in “survival mode.” Hair stylist Shatiya Hardin, who has worked in Gary for 25 years, said the first few days were endured out of habit, but the second week has worn thin. “It’s not OK for us to continually be in survival mode, doing the best that we can,” Hardin said.
Impact on schools and families
School closures compound the hardship. Gary School District, serving about 4,300 students, has been closed since August 13 and will remain shut at least through Friday. Portage Township Schools delayed its August 12 start and now plans to open on August 25, citing safety concerns over downed trees and damaged infrastructure.
Page‑Tan noted that missed school days can destabilize families already living paycheck to paycheck, especially when parents cannot find childcare and risk losing wages.
Utility response
NIPSCO described the damage as “unprecedented and widespread” and has brought crews from across the country, including from Chicago, to repair downed wires and broken poles. Melody Birmingham, an executive at NIPSCO’s parent company, said the storm’s impact varied by service territory, noting that parts of Illinois recovered more quickly because they have fewer trees and some buried power lines.
Residents continue to rely on community networks for food, shelter and information. Kevin Mejia, who runs a local Facebook page, receives dozens of requests for groceries and assistance each day. “If I make one post, I get 500 comments,” he said.
How you can help
Donors are encouraged to contribute to the GoFundMe for laundry services or to the Gary Muslim Center’s relief fund. Local churches and civic groups are also coordinating drop‑off points for essential supplies. Volunteers with transportation resources can assist by delivering laundry or distributing food and water to neighborhoods still without power.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
