GARY, Ind. (WLS) — Efforts to restore electricity are underway across Northwest Indiana, yet officials warn that some areas may remain powerless for several more days.
It’s been over a week since severe storms wreaked havoc, cutting off power and leaving several counties in a precarious situation.
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NIPSCO has announced that areas including Gary should see their power restored by Tuesday.
The utility company reassures that they are diligently working to restore electricity as quickly as possible.
Yet, this offers little consolation to the thousands who have endured days without power, growing increasingly frustrated with the situation.
“We have no gas, no restaurants, no power. Now, we had to throw away everything at all refrigerators. And night is like Gotham City. You can’t see anything,” Gary resident Brittany Bankhead said.
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NIPSCO said more than 38,000 Gary customers were impacted by the August 11 storms.
The utility said before repairs could begin crews conducted an extensive damage assessment that included surveying 2,000 miles of power lines while dispelling claims on social media that restoration work is related to race or socioeconomic status.
“These aren’t simple repairs. These are lines that ordinarily take us, and systems that ordinarily take weeks or months that we are trying to accomplish in days or weeks,” NiSource Group Utilities President Melody Birmingham said.
Meanwhile people said the community is coming together and helping one another until the lights come back on.
Relief efforts continue in East Chicago.
Several groups are teaming up for a food giveaway at Greater Destiny Bible Church.
The food pantry runs from 9 a.m. until noon.
Then, a free community cookout runs from noon to four.
Other food giveaways are happening Thursday.
One starts at 8 a.m. at the Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center in Gary.
Another begins at noon at Gospel Truth Apostolic Ministry in Gary.
And a third starts at 4 p.m. at Portage High School.
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