Gary, Indiana — On Monday, U.S. Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton spoke with President Donald Trump by phone to discuss the aftermath of the August 11 derecho that devastated Northwest Indiana. The conversation focused on the storm’s impact on Gary’s neighborhoods, the continued power outages, and the need for swift federal assistance.
Federal response and emergency declaration
President Trump approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration for Indiana on Aug. 15 after Governor Mike Braun’s request. During the call, the officials reminded the President of the ongoing challenges faced by families, homeowners and renters still coping with extensive damage.
“The president loves Gary and has a long history in Gary,” Sen. Banks said, noting that the administration is aware of a congressional request for additional aid to support those affected.
Local needs and FEMA resources
Mayor Melton used the opportunity to stress the city’s urgent need for more FEMA resources. “In my conversation with President Trump, I made it clear that Gary needs immediate access to FEMA assistance to support our recovery,” he said. He added that federal help is critical for restoring neighborhoods, rebuilding homes and ensuring the community emerges stronger and more resilient.
Community and faith‑based response
After the call, the delegation toured storm‑hit areas of Gary. Sen. Banks visited the local Salvation Army and met with Pastor Eric Boone of Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church, whose congregation has been providing meals and supplies to residents. “The people here step up to help each other,” Banks observed, praising the churches for feeding thousands of people.
Utility investigation and power restoration
The officials also discussed NIPSCO’s response to the derecho. Governor Braun has called for an investigation into the utility’s preparedness, and Sen. Banks said an inquiry is warranted. “What could we have done to avoid it and then learn from it to make sure it doesn’t happen again?” he asked.
Restoring power remains a top priority. As of 2:30 p.m. Monday, more than 9,000 NIPSCO customers across Northwest Indiana were still without electricity, with about 6,500 of those outages in Gary.
Looking ahead
While acknowledging that recovery will take time, both officials expressed confidence in the city’s resilience. “It’s a long road ahead, but when you see leadership like that, it makes you hopeful that we can all pull together and work together,” Sen. Banks said of Mayor Melton. “Hopefully, Gary will come out of this better and stronger than ever before.”
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
