Indiana gov: prolonged power outages in Region unacceptable

The governor of Indiana said it's "unacceptable" that so many people in the northwest part of the state are still without power, more than a week after tornadoes came through the Chicago area.

The assessment on social media from Republican Gov. Mike Braun came as NIPSCO crews were out across the Region working to reconnect tens of thousands of homes and businesses that lost power in the August 11 storms.

"It's on NIPSCO management to step up, take this seriously and restore power now," Gov. Braun told followers on social media Thursday. Earlier, he told reporters in Noblesville that he'd committed the National Guard and other state resources to helping restore power.

"We've asked them to pick up the pace," the governor said as he reflected on the number of affected homes and businesses: "300,000 homes ... that's the size of Indianapolis, nearly, in terms of structures impacted."

An update on NIPSCO's website Friday morning suggested that crews expected to restore power to all customers in East Chicago, Griffith, Hobart and Merrillville by the end of the day Friday, but that it could be Tuesday before electricity can be restored in Gary. NIPSCO executives have defended the utility's response to the storms.

That would mean people in Gary would have spent two weeks without electricity, and the situation is starting to get attention outside the Region.

"I think this should be a national conversation, and it's insane to me that it's not," said viral food reviewer and influencer Keith Lee, who happened to be in Gary to plan for a future event. He posted two videos since Wednesday about the prolonged outages in Gary, and the videos have been watched more than two million times. He told followers that he's working with leaders in Gary to put on a relief event Monday, offering supplies for people affected by outages, as well as food and a DJ.

@keith_lee125 Keith Speaks 💕 Gary Indiana We’ll See Y’all Soon 💕 #foodcritic @Salvation Army USA ♬ original sound - Keith Lee

"I know it's not turning the power on, but it is a place for community," he said.