Indiana mayor calls it ‘unacceptable’ for thousands to have no power two weeks after storm

A man repairs a generator at his home while coping without electricity, as thousands of residents remain without power more than a week after severe storms struck Gary, Indiana, on 20 August 2026. Photograph: Octavio Jones/Reuters

The mayor of Gary, Indiana, has said it is “unacceptable” that thousands of residents in the city are still without power nearly two weeks after an 11 August storm known as a derecho brought 90 mph, straight-line winds, downing trees on to power lines.

“We’re at day 12, and 12 days is too long for families to be without power,” said Eddie Melton, Gary’s mayor, in a video address on Sunday, adding that he is continuing to pressure the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (Nipsco) to restore the city’s power before the end of Tuesday.