Residents of Gary, Indiana, alongside surrounding areas, are in distress after an intense storm occurred on August 11, 2026, in the area, causing a massive power outage across the city. Citizens across the country have grown concerned with the issue after residents of the area took it upon themselves to begin posting about the issue after initially seeing no major news outlets covering the situation.
According to a report posted by Indiana’s utility company NIPSCO, as of 12 p.m. ET on August 20, 2026 revealed that there are 63,500 residents who are still without power after there were initially 370,000 without power at the time of the storm. As a result of there being no power, children have not been in attendance at school and some workers have not been able to work. In addition to having to drive in pitch-black darkness.
Some residents have even taken to social media to document their experiences day by day. From pulling together elements to cook a meal to keeping cool in extreme temperatures to managing the care of pets, the documentation of those at the center of the issue has provided clarity beyond headlines. Influencers such as Adriana Harris and Aja Ba have been especially vocal, taking followers of the story into their journey on a day-to-day basis.
With Gary’s Black population accounting for a little over 76% of the city, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, many believe that the lack of support and haste in restoring power could be due to disregard from a racial perspective. Prior to the power outage, residents across the state were speaking out about the increase in data centers being built in the area. The buildings have been pulling extensive amounts of electricity and energy from the state’s power grid.
According to Cleanview, there are currently 23 active data centers in the state of Indiana, with 121 planned to be built, with a current operating capacity of 1,352 megawatts. The expected capacity after the planned data centers are built is 15,485 megawatts. Residents have literally paid the cost of these changes through increased electricity bills, as discussed in an emergency town hall meeting in February of this year, as reported by FOX32 Chicago.
Public figures such as former NBA player Glenn Robinson and food influencer Keith Lee have sprung into action to help financially and on the ground to help organize efforts to pass out resources to Gary residents. Alongside these efforts, Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced that grants of $5,000 will be awarded to families impacted by the power outage. The Gary branch of the NAACP and local churches have also put systems in place to pass out hot meals to residents as they await power restoration.
At this time, estimates of power restoration by NIPSCO have been said to happen throughout this week into next week, with the cities of Gary and Portage set to have electricity again by Tuesday, August 25th at 11:59 p.m.