Severe storms that moved through northwest Indiana this week left widespread destruction, more than 260,000 customers without electricity and at least two confirmed fatalities, officials and community groups said Thursday. The outages represent the largest single event in the history of Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO).
Human toll and community response
Authorities confirmed two deaths linked to the storms. In Gary, 58-year-old Paula Plebanski, a woman experiencing homelessness, died after being struck by roofing material. In Portage, 86-year-old Leona Rice died in a house explosion. No further details regarding the circumstances of the Portage incident were provided in the initial reporting.
Neighbors and local organizations mobilized quickly to help affected residents. In Portage, the local American Legion Post 260 provided meals for storm survivors, while Portage Township officials set up free shelter locations where residents could rest and recharge phones and medical devices.
Power outages and service impacts
Utility officials reported that over 260,000 NIPSCO customers were without power Thursday morning. The company described the outage as the largest in its history; repair crews have been working to assess damage and restore service where possible.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Estimated customers without power | 260,000+ (NIPSCO) |
| Confirmed storm-related deaths | 2 (Gary and Portage) |
| School openings affected | School Town of Munster delayed K–12 start to at least Aug. 17 |
Schools and essential services disrupted
Officials said the storm’s disruption extended to school planning. The School Town of Munster announced the first day of the academic year for K–12 students would be postponed until at least Monday, Aug. 17, as communities cope with power loss and other storm damage.
Local relief groups and businesses coordinated food and shelter support. The Salvation Army scheduled meal distributions at several locations until supplies last, and Strack & Van Til grocery stores offered free food at multiple stores for several days.
- Salvation Army meal distribution: Portage High School (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), Michigan City Corps (5 p.m.), La Porte Corps (5 p.m.), La Porte City Hall (5 p.m.), La Porte Civic Center (6 p.m.)
- Strack & Van Til free food distribution (11 a.m.–7 p.m., through Thursday–Saturday): St. John, Hammond, Highland, Cedar Lake, Portage, Valparaiso locations
What residents should know now
Residents in affected communities should follow public-safety guidance from local officials and utility providers. With outages this large, restoration priorities typically focus on critical infrastructure such as hospitals and water treatment facilities, then shuttle outward to neighborhoods as damage assessments and crew resources allow.
Local emergency services urged people to remain cautious around downed power lines and to avoid travel if roads are blocked or obstructed by debris. Where shelters or charging centers are available, officials encouraged those without power—particularly residents who rely on medical equipment—to make use of these resources.
Ongoing recovery and what’s next
Utility crews and first responders continued damage assessments and restoration work Thursday. Officials did not provide a specific timeline for full power restoration. Communities across northwest Indiana face a multi-day, possibly multi-week, recovery period depending on the extent of infrastructure damage.
Residents seeking assistance or updates should monitor local government and utility social media channels and local news outlets for the latest information on outages, shelter locations and relief distribution points.
The storms underscore the vulnerability of regional infrastructure to extreme weather and the importance of coordinated emergency response between utilities, local government and community organizations during large-scale events.
Trevor Lindqvist is the state correspondent for WE NEWS, covering weather impacts, infrastructure and community response across Indiana.
