Indiana Storm Response Highlights Importance of Cooperation
The severe storm on August 11 left hundreds of thousands in Northwest Indiana without power. This situation underscored the value of collaboration among local, state, and federal entities, according to Governor Mike Braun. Speaking at a press conference in the American Red Cross’ emergency shelter located in Gary’s Hudson Campbell Sports and Fitness Center, Braun expressed his admiration for the first responders and local governments involved.
Braun remarked, “I’m extremely proud of first responders and local governments. When you have something like this, those are the first people that are going to reach out. From Northwest Indiana to downstate, we haven’t had this type of event in 100 years.”
Messiah Neal, age one, played before a press conference on August 31, 2026, addressing ongoing state and federal storm recovery at the Hudson Campbell Center. Neal and family stayed there after the storms in early August. Officials, including Braun, FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton, and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, updated on the cleanup and damage from the derecho that impacted Northwest Indiana.
The team, including Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Jonathan Whitham, also visited Carmel and Connersville to review flood damage. Gary, one of the hardest-hit areas, reported thousands without power for weeks. Melton highlighted the issue of damaged weatherheads, which protect external wiring, and announced available assistance from the Legacy Foundation for repairs.
According to NIPSCO, 59 Gary residents still lacked power as of recent updates, with 159 total customers affected. Melton criticized NIPSCO’s response, stating, “The citizens here in Gary have been without a significant amount of power for more than two weeks. That’s something that I joined the governor in urging to investigate, to figure out how that process should be improved. I think it’s extremely important that we look for reliability in our energy sources.”
Melton extended gratitude to Braun and Hamilton for their commitment to recovery efforts. Meanwhile, Hamilton praised local communities and encouraged individuals impacted to seek FEMA support. He said, “I also want to praise this community for its ability to adapt. I want to praise the amazing partners that are here helping those in need, serving food, helping with FEMA registration, and other assistance.” Affected residents can apply for assistance via disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Several FEMA intake centers operate in Lake County.
U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan noted the bipartisan backing for storm recovery efforts, asserting, “When you have to help people, and there’s such an outcry and such a major disaster, we all need each other. We saw neighborhood by neighborhood help, but we saw state, local, and federal agencies coming together. The only way we were able to get FEMA in this short period of time was because Democrats and Republicans worked together in order to have the administration declare a disaster.”
The Red Cross operates the largest shelter in Indiana at the Hudson Campbell Center, with six locations statewide still assisting 179 people total. Gary hosts 109 individuals at the center. Volunteers continue to provide crucial services. Residents seek help through the Red Cross’ Shelter Resident Transition program to secure housing in Gary. Displaced before the storm, Crystal L. Franklin and Michele Taylor have stayed with the Red Cross since the storm and have found comfort in the support available, appreciating especially Mayor Melton’s efforts. Taylor commented, “I love what the mayor is doing, and it’s good to see the presence of the governor. (Melton) seems like he really cares about this city.”