Terry Dubois, a 77-year-old resident of Gary, Indiana, has been without power for nearly two weeks, relying on friends to bring her non-perishable food and a power bank to charge her phone. Her experience is part of a larger crisis that has left over 30,000 people in the area without electricity, with no end in sight.
Devastating Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power
A devastating storm struck Gary, Indiana, on 11 August, bringing with it wind gusts of up to 99mph (159kmh) and causing widespread destruction. The storm was particularly severe in the former industrial town of Gary, which runs along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. According to the National Weather Service, the worst of the storm only lasted five to 10 minutes, but the impacts are still being felt 12 days later.
Residents Struggle to Cope
Residents of Gary are struggling to cope with the prolonged power outage. Many have been forced to rely on generators or friends to bring them food and water. Shatiya Hardin, a resident of Gary, described the situation as "absolutely horrible." "At night we're sweating, we're irritable, we have children to look out for, elderly people who need electricity for oxygen tanks," she said. "It's not OK for us to continually be in survival mode."
Class-Action Lawsuit Launched
Amid mounting frustration, local residents have launched a class-action lawsuit against the utility company Nipsco, accusing the company of failing to manage the trees that brought down the power lines in the storm. Resident Jack Tipold, who was forced to abandon a dental surgery due to the power outage, described the situation as "a struggle." "I had all my teeth removed, and no medication for 48 hours," he said.
Faith Leaders Call for Action
Faith leaders in the area have been vocal in their criticism of the power outage. On Saturday, they held a press conference outside a local church, calling on those in power to take action. "We come together today with one voice, asking those who have the power… to release the resources to our brothers and our sisters, our mothers and our fathers, because 12 days is long enough," said a faith leader, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Nipsco Promises Restoration
Nipsco has promised to restore power to everyone as soon as possible. The company estimated that Gary would have its electricity restored by Wednesday. However, the company's promise has been met with skepticism by some residents. Indiana's governor, Mike Braun, has requested a quicker major disaster declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), which would unlock further help.
Climate Change Makes Extreme Weather More Severe
The power outage in Gary is just one example of the impact of extreme weather on communities. With climate change making extreme weather more severe and frequent, such power outages are likely to become a more common problem. As the area continues to recover from the storm, residents are left to wonder when they will see a return to normal. For now, they remain powerless and frustrated, waiting for the electricity to be restored.
Source: Joy Online
