08/12/2026
POWER OUTAGE UPDATE — NIPSCO CALLS STORM LARGEST OUTAGE EVENT IN COMPANY HISTORY
NIPSCO says approximately 301,000 of its 500,000 electric customers were impacted by Tuesday’s destructive storms, making this the largest customer outage event in the utility’s history.
Severe thunderstorms brought wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, along with heavy rain and intense lightning, causing widespread damage across northern Indiana. Power lines and poles were damaged while countless trees and large limbs came down onto electrical infrastructure.
NIPSCO says restoration will be an extended, multi-day effort in some areas due to the magnitude of the damage.
Crews are currently assessing damage and restoring service where it can be done safely. Additional resources are being mobilized, and crews are expected to work around the clock.
⚠️ At this time, NIPSCO does not have restoration estimates available. More specific restoration timelines are expected once damage assessments are completed.
Residents should also be aware that reports of natural gas leaks related to the storm have been received. If you smell a rotten egg or sulfur-like odor, immediately leave the area and call 911 and NIPSCO from a safe location.
With another round of severe thunderstorms possible overnight, additional outages and damage remain a concern. Trees already weakened by this morning’s extreme winds could come down with considerably weaker gusts tonight.
Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay far away from downed power lines and give emergency responders and utility crews plenty of room to work.
REPORT AN OUTAGE:
• NIPSCO Mobile App
• Text OUT to 444111
• NIPSCO outage website
• Call 1-800-4-NIPSCO
NIPSCO says damage is widespread throughout its service territory, with significant impacts documented in communities including St. John, Valparaiso and Chesterton.
This will not be a quick restoration for everyone. Some communities should prepare for the possibility of being without power for multiple days as crews work through what NIPSCO is describing as a historic storm event.
