Parts of NW Indiana to remain without power until next week, NIPSCO says
Thousands remain without power over a week after deadly storms
GARY, Ind. (WLS) -- As crews work to restore power across Northwest Indiana, officials said some communities won't have electricity for several more days.
It's been more than a week since the power was knocked out by severe storms and the situation is still dire across several counties.
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NIPSCO now says affected area like Gary, should have service back by Tuesday.
The utility said they are working as fast as they can to get the power back on.
It is little comfort for thousands of people who are frustrated after living in the dark for days
"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.
SEE ALSO: Track power outages in your area with the ABC7 Chicago Power Outage Tracker
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.
