Indiana Gov. Mike Braun is demanding an investigation into Northern Indiana Public Service Co. as thousands of people in Gary remain without power nearly two weeks after a destructive storm.
At the same time, Gary-born rapper Freddie Gibbs says the disaster exposed problems that existed long before the lights went out.
The Aug. 11 storm brought winds as high as 99 mph to Gary, knocking down trees, utility poles and power lines. More than 370,000 NIPSCO customers lost electricity at the height of the storm, including more than 60% of the utility’s customers. Nearly two weeks later, thousands were still waiting for service to return.
“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,” Braun said on Monday (Aug. 24). “NIPSCO has failed to keep its end of the bargain.”
Gary Mayor Eddie Melton has also pushed NIPSCO to accelerate repairs. During a televised interview, Melton said about 5,000 residents were still without electricity and that the city needed additional federal help.
“We’re not trying to wait until tomorrow,” said Melton. “I’m hoping that we get a majority of those folks up by tonight.”
Melton said he had spoken with President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Jim Banks and was waiting for federal disaster approval that could unlock FEMA assistance. The Indiana National Guard has already been deployed, while ComEd crews have joined the restoration effort.
“This isn’t just a storm problem for August,” Gibbs said during an interview with MS NOW. “This is an infrastructure problem that Gary has.”
Gibbs, who was born and raised in Gary, said he believes the city has been dealing with an outdated electrical system for years.
“I feel like we have an archaic type of electrical system with the company that we have providing power to our city,” he explained. “I think that some changes need to be implemented there.”
Freddie Gibbs speaks on putting financial support behind the power crisis in Gary Indiana while he’s on tour via @MSNOWNews pic.twitter.com/5vxLyVYmdT
— 2Cool2Blog (@2Cool2Blog) August 25, 2026
He also said the crisis reflects a longstanding lack of investment in the majority-Black city.
“Seeing the lack of resources from the state and the government come our way, this isn’t really anything new. We’ve been needing resources. We’ve been needing extra funding for certain things and youth programs and things of that nature […] It’s just sad that it takes a national crisis for us to get some type of attention,” he added.
The lengthy outage has left residents throwing away spoiled food, missing work and searching for places to charge phones or obtain medication. One reporter said residents were receiving NIPSCO billing notices even while their homes remained without electricity.
Melton said the city is demanding that NIPSCO suspend disconnections, credit customers for time without service and address damaged infrastructure. He said homeowners can face $800 to $1,500 bills to repair damaged weatherheads before their houses can be reconnected.
The Gary disaster is one of several major power disruptions this summer. More than 140,000 customers lost electricity around Memphis after severe storms on Aug. 22, while Hurricane Lala knocked out power to roughly 191,800 Hawaiian Electric customers earlier in August.
Gibbs revealed that he has financially supported recovery efforts while touring overseas and praised others who have stepped in, including Keith Lee and rapper Trae tha Truth.
“Much love to the hip-hop community,” Gibbs said. “Keith Lee, thank you,” he went on before asking the community to “Pray for the city.”
Sending a HUGE thank you to Keith Lee, his wife and everyone else who showed up for Gary, Indiana today! This is the Black community. This is love, this is unity, and this is what working together looks like. We see you Gary and we haven’t forgotten about you! #Indiana pic.twitter.com/jzb7EXUeso
— Black, Blessed & Unbothered (@MelanatedTalk) August 24, 2026
