High winds tore through Northwest Indiana on Monday night, leaving nearly 50,000 families in the dark. By Tuesday morning, Northern Indiana Public Service Company had deployed crews to tackle the mess, but more than 25,000 customers were still waiting for their lights to flicker back on by 11 a.m.
It’s the kind of scenario that turns a quiet weekend into a logistical nightmare. Wind gusts exceeding 60 miles per hour didn’t just rattle windows; they snapped lines and toppled trees across the region. The immediate impact was stark: half the affected households remained without power as the day progressed, highlighting the sheer scale of the infrastructure damage.
The Scale of the Outage
Here’s the thing about severe weather—it doesn’t discriminate. While NIPSCO bore the brunt of this specific event, the ripple effects were felt across the state. According to data from PowerOutage.us tracking Indiana outages in May 2026, the situation is fluid. At one snapshot, 3,817 homes statewide were dark, representing 0.12% of tracked customers. Moments later, that number dropped to 1,255, or 0.04%. These fluctuations reflect the chaotic nature of restoration work.
But look closer at the regional breakdown. Northern Indiana Public Service Company reported 2,426 customers without power, making it the utility with the highest absolute number of outages during this period. Meanwhile, Henry County REMC saw the steepest percentage hit, with 3.27% of its customer base affected. For residents in those areas, the wait feels longer because a larger share of their community is experiencing the same frustration.
Safety First: What Residents Need to Know
When the power goes out, the instinct is often to check outside. But safety experts—and utility companies—are clear: stay away from downed lines. A line that looks dead might still be live. If you see sagging wires or debris near poles, your first move isn’t to call the utility; it’s to call 911. Then, and only then, do you contact NIPSCO.
NIPSCO has made reporting straightforward. You can text "OUT" to 444111 or call 1-800-4NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726) around the clock. Their outage map updates every 10 minutes, giving you a real-time view of what’s happening in your neighborhood. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than guessing. For natural gas emergencies—like the smell of rotten eggs or symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning—the protocol changes. Get outside immediately, call 911, then dial the gas emergency line at 1-800-634-3524. Confusing electric and gas procedures can have deadly consequences, so keep those numbers separate in your mind.
Broader Context and Statewide Tools
This isn’t an isolated incident. Indiana’s utility landscape is complex, with multiple providers serving different regions. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) provides a centralized hub where residents can click on their specific provider to access outage maps. This aggregation helps users navigate the fragmented system, whether they’re served by NIPSCO, Indiana Michigan Power, or rural cooperatives.
Indiana Michigan Power, another major player, offers similar tools: real-time status checks, notification systems, and interactive maps. While their customers weren’t the primary focus of this Monday night storm, the similarity in services shows a statewide trend toward transparency. Customers expect to know *when* power will return, not just *that* it’s out.
What’s Next for Restoration?
Crews are working tirelessly, but tree removal and pole repairs take time. There’s no magic switch to flip. As of Tuesday noon, the priority remains clearing debris and assessing structural integrity before reconnecting circuits. Experts suggest that full restoration could take several more days, depending on weather conditions. If rain returns, progress slows. If skies clear, crews can work faster.
For now, residents are advised to conserve battery life on devices, keep refrigerators closed, and check on neighbors who may be vulnerable. Community resilience often shines brightest when the grid fails. In Northwest Indiana, that spirit is already evident as people share generators and information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are still without power in Northwest Indiana?
As of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, more than 25,000 NIPSCO customers in Northwest Indiana remained without electricity. This figure represents roughly half of the initial 50,000 affected households following the Monday night storms.
What caused the widespread power outages?
The outages were triggered by severe storms featuring wind gusts over 60 miles per hour on Monday night. These high winds damaged power lines and infrastructure across the region, leading to extensive service disruptions.
How can I report a power outage to NIPSCO?
You can report an outage by texting "OUT" to 444111 or calling 1-800-4NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726). The emergency line is available 24 hours a day. For real-time status updates, visit NIPSCO’s online outage map, which refreshes every 10 minutes.
What should I do if I smell gas after a power outage?
If you suspect a gas leak, leave your home immediately and call 911 from a safe distance. After contacting emergency services, call NIPSCO’s natural gas emergency line at 1-800-634-3524. Do not use electrical switches or open flames.
Which other utilities in Indiana are experiencing outages?
Statewide data indicates that Northern Indiana Public Service Company had 2,426 customers without power, while Henry County REMC reported the highest percentage of affected customers at 3.27%. Other providers like Indiana Michigan Power also track outages via their respective online portals.