Deadly Indiana Storm Leaves 75,000+ Without Power for Over a Week
A derecho that struck Indiana on August 11 left tens of thousands without electricity for more than nine days. Schools and businesses remain closed in affected areas, with full restoration delayed.
What Happened
On August 11, 2026, a derecho—a powerful straight-line windstorm—crossed from Illinois into northwest and north-central Indiana, producing extreme winds, tornadoes, large hail and flash flooding. Tens of thousands of people in Indiana entered a second week without power after the deadly storm toppled trees and power lines, with schools remaining closed and businesses unable to reopen.
National declarations have been announced for 53 Indiana counties, and seven disaster-related fatalities occurred in Delaware, Jennings, Lake, LaPorte, Henry, and Porter counties. As of August 20, 63,500 residents remained without power after initially 370,000 lost electricity.
Health and Livelihood Impacts
Health concerns grow with extended outages: many people using generators risk carbon monoxide poisoning from poor ventilation, those reliant on medical devices face battery depletion, and spoiled refrigerated food poses health risks. Local business owners like hair stylists in Gary have been unable to work for days, and while residents initially accepted the disruption, patience is wearing thin.
Aid and Recovery
Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced $5,000 grants for families impacted by the outage. Indiana 211 provides immediate help and access to community resources including housing, shelters, employment, and counseling.
For newcomers to Indiana or the Midwest: If you're relocating to northwest Indiana (Lake County, Gary), utilities and infrastructure can be disrupted by severe weather. Register for local emergency alerts and maintain emergency supplies—bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio. If you rely on medical equipment, ask your provider about backup power options. Report downed lines to 911 and your local utility company immediately.
Sources
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