"NIPSCO is a monopoly utility that Hoosiers pay every month with the expectation that it will use its considerable resources to maintain its system, prepare for severe weather and restore service as quickly as possible when disaster strikes. NIPSCO has failed to keep its end of the bargain," said Braun. "I'm directing the OUCC to file a complaint and petition the IURC to launch an investigation so we can determine whether NIPSCO did what it promised ratepayers and regulators it would do with the money it was given. Hoosiers deserve accountability."
There are still thousands of people in the dark in northwest Indiana nearly two weeks after the storms. Portage and Gary have the most outages.
Late Monday, NIPSCO said it expects power to be restored to customers in Munster, Gary, and Portage by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
NIPSCO said it is aware of Braun's directive for an investigation into the company's response to the storms and will cooperate fully. The utility also said it remains committed to restoring power safely and as quickly as possible.
"NIPSCO is aware of Governor Braun's directive to the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) to petition the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (Commission) to launch an investigation into the company's response to the Aug. 11, 2026 storm event. NIPSCO will continue to communicate with Governor Braun's office and the Commission. NIPSCO values the regulatory process and will cooperate fully if the Commission were to open an investigation. We are committed to transparency and cooperation in providing information regarding our operations and ongoing efforts to serve our customers safely and reliably. The Aug. 11 storm, along with severe weather in the days following, impacted approximately 374,500 customers and caused extensive damage across both NIPSCO's transmission and distribution systems. Throughout this event, our focus has remained on safely restoring service, supporting impacted communities and helping customers recover. As restoration efforts continue, our crews, contractors and partners remain committed to restoring power safely and as quickly as possible for every customer affected by this historic storm," NIPSCO said in a statement.
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Corey Jackson, a former utility worker, said he believes crews have made significant progress given the extent of the damage.
"The first three days, you have to bird dog and assess what you're doing. You cannot work because people's lives would have been on the line," Jackson said.
But for residents who remain without electricity, frustration continues to grow.
"At night, the house is burning up. You have to open the windows and all the doors to stay cool. And you know, it's unacceptable," said Dale Pugh, a Gary resident.
Residents described the challenges of caring for their families and maintaining daily routines during the outage.
"The last two weeks, kind of been hectic," parent Vera Walker said. "Being with no power, no resources, no gas stations, grocery stores, nothing is open."
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said that NIPSCO should have been better prepared and had boots on the ground since day one.
"We're looking at all options right now to participate and figure out how do we hold them accountable," Melton said.
As recovery continues, Melton said he is advocating for additional relief measures for utility customers across northwest Indiana.
"I'm pushing for a moratorium to hold off on any disconnections after this, at least 60-90 days, possibly no late fees. Waive all the late fees, and this is not just for Gary residents. I'm advocating for just the entire northwest Indiana that this could take place," Melton said.
According to city officials, Melton and Sen. Jim Banks participated in a phone call with President Donald Trump to request federal disaster funds.
Community bands together as outages persist
Meanwhile, thousands of residents gathered Sunday for an event dubbed the "After the Storm Party," a community relief effort aimed at supporting people affected by the storms.
The event, held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., drew large crowds, with long lines forming at food trucks and supply giveaways. Organizers said the effort brought together the City of Gary, the Salvation Army and social media personality and food critic Keith Lee to provide free relief kits, food and back-to-school supplies.
Social media personality and food critic Keith Lee, who partnered with local organizations for the event, said community support has been critical during the recovery.
"I think the hardest thing past the power is being overlooked and being in underprivileged neighborhoods where you feel like you aren't seen, but I think again, it's not because of us, but the people in Gary are changing that," Lee said.
And community members gathered Monday night at Tree of Life Missionary Baptist Church, reflecting on the challenges they've endured and the support that has emerged during the outages.
The service featured a message of hope from Dr. Jamal Bryant, who told the congregation, "I want you just tap someone around you and tell them the lights are coming back on, your passion is coming back on."
Among those attending was Gary resident Bruce Curry, who said the outage has tested people's patience but has also brought new attention to the city.
"It was a curse, but it's a blessing because now the attention is on Gary and we're going to do some positive things," Curry said.
DeAndra Gathings, founder of Rinse Cycle Valet Laundry, is offering free laundry service to residents impacted by the outages. Gathings said she initially planned to help only a handful of families after seeing videos from Gary on social media.
"I was just like, okay, let me see if I can help out a few families because I'm like, if they don't have electricity, they don't have power. That means they don't have a workable washer and dryer," Gathings said.
What started as a small effort quickly expanded with community support.
"I started crying all Friday. I cried. I could not believe that that many people wanted to help," Gathings said.
She said families have contacted her seeking help after days without power.
"One of our kids was starting school this week and her child did not have any clean clothes to go to school," Gathings said while describing messages she received from residents.
Gathings said providing clean clothes can ease at least one burden for families trying to navigate life without electricity.
"It gives people relief. People don't understand how much of a struggle it is to have a pile of clothes in a corner that just keeps building," she said.
Residents impacted by the outages can drop off up to three bags of laundry for free from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at 200 W. 5th Ave. Gathings said she plans to be on site with trucks to collect clothing and organize the effort.
"I was willing to pay and just purchase everything that I needed," Gathings said. "So when I started seeing all of the funds coming in, I was like, okay, I can't do this by myself."
She said volunteers and a participating laundromat are helping expand the effort so more families can be served as Gary continues recovering from the prolonged outages.
Students return to school after storms force closures
The Gary Community School Corporation had their first day of school on August 6. But strong storms, damage and power outages led to classes being canceled for several days.
"Our building grounds and maintenance team worked around-the-clock in our buildings to assess the damage, boarding up windows where needed and making the calls on what some of the repairs are going to be, but all of our schools are habitable," Chelsea Whittington with the Gary Community School Corporation said.
Melissa Rivera, a Gary resident and mother of four, said preparing her children to return to school while managing work responsibilities without electricity has been difficult.
"They've been stopping at gas stations that have power to get their teeth cleaned. They've been stopping at truck stops for them to get changed," Rivera said. "Gary's already neglected. There doesn't have to be a catastrophe for it to get any worse than it did, and it's just a slap in the face when the people around you just seem to keep moving just fine when you're in shambles."
Some Gary parents said they are glad that class is back in session and their children can return to some level of normalcy.
"They are just ready to see their friends and get back to some type to normalcy," parent Angel Charles said.
Children like Laylani Hunter have been looking forward to returning back to school.
"I've been in a hotel because the last two days we were sleeping at a house and it was pitch dark," said Laylani Hunter, a student at McCullough Academy. "I just wanted to go see my friends."
The Gary Community School Corporation acknowledged that some of their students and staffers are still trying to get back on their feet in the storms' aftermath.
"I've had some parents that called and talked about, 'What if my child doesn't have the appropriate dress code that they should wear?' Send them anyway. We're not going to turn a child away," said Dr. Yvonne Stokes, superintendent for the Gary Community School Corporation.