Gary residents affected by the powerful Aug. 11 storm that knocked out power in much of the region for roughly weeks may soon get the help they need. Shortly after speaking this week with Gary Mayor Eddie Melton and U.S. Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for the […]
Extreme Weather
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather, Public Services, Utilities
Churches, a Lawsuit and the Governor Are Pressuring NIPSCO After Gary’s Blackout
As power slowly returns to homes and businesses in Gary and across Northwest Indiana, Black faith leaders and elected officials alike are turning their focus to restoration, accountability, and solutions for future weather events. Fewer than 2,500 NIPSCO customers in Gary remained without power as of Tuesday morning, but that is more than 70% of […]
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather
I Grew Up in Gary. I’ve Never Seen a Power Outage Like This.
I’ve experienced dozens of power outages growing up in Gary. But usually an outage had boundaries. A neighborhood, a section of a city, or maybe part of a county. You could drive a few miles and eventually find light again. But last Tuesday, as my wife and I drove through Merrillville, Hobart, and Portage in […]
Posted inCommunity, Extreme Weather, Housing
Gary Warming Centers Serve Residents as Bitter Cold and Snow Grip the City
As Northwest Indiana remains locked in a stretch of bitter winter weather, Gary warming centers are continuing to serve residents seeking relief from dangerous cold and snow that are expected to linger through the weekend. The National Weather Service says temperatures in Gary are expected to remain dangerously low through the weekend, with overnight lows […]
Posted inExtreme Weather
Hotter Days, Higher Electric Bills: How Climate Change Is Impacting Gary
Climate change is causing significant and far-reaching impacts on the Great Lakes region, a new study finds. Gary is no exception. As triple-digit temperatures bring record-breaking heatwaves to the area, and higher electricity bills, a new report shows how hot it is now and predicts how much worse things could get. Since 1951, annual average […]
Posted inExtreme Weather
Where to Find Gary Cooling Centers During This Weekend’s Heat Wave
As the city enjoys Juneteenth celebrations and block parties, residents are urged to take precaution during a regional heat wave that is expected to last through the weekend’s festivities. A heat wave poised to smother the region with near-triple-digit heat could make weekend events hazardous for anyone outdoors too long. The National Weather Service issued […]
Posted inExtreme Weather, News
Gary Hit Hard by Storms: 1 in 10 Residents Without Power
Heavy winds and thunderstorms blew through the city of Gary Thursday evening, causing nearly 8,000 residents to remain without power, according to NIPSCO, Indiana’s largest electric and power company. Approximately 57,000 NIPSCO customers were without power on Friday afternoon. That total includes 7,769 Gary residents, more than 10% of the city’s population. Gary ZIP code […]
Posted inExtreme Weather, Public Safety, Utilities
Day After Tornadoes, Gary Residents Begin to Rebuild and Reflect
A day after tornadoes ripped through Gary, residents and officials alike are continuing to grapple with the devastation left behind. Friday morning marked a slow return to normalcy for many, as utility crews worked tirelessly to restore power and residents sifted through debris. “It’s tough to look at, but people are doing what they can,” […]
Posted inExtreme Weather, Public Safety, Utilities
Shaken Gary Residents Dig Out After Tornado Touches Down in Region
Toppled power lines. Caved-in roofs. Lumbering trees crashed into the Earth. And residents left stunned. These were just a few of the images greeting Gary this morning after a tornado whipped through the city Wednesday evening, devastating dozens of homes in the Tolleston neighborhood and leaving thousands of Northwest Indiana residents without power. By Thursday […]
Posted inExtreme Weather, Public Services
Gary Warming Centers: Where to Go During Extreme Cold
As Gary braces for a blast of bitter cold, the city has expanded its network of warming centers to protect residents from subzero temperatures expected in the coming days. Among the options is a newly reopened Ambridge-Mann Community Center on Fourth Avenue, providing critical overnight shelter for families, children, and the elderly at risk from […]
