Explore

Storm Damage Causes School Delays and Power Outages in Northwest Indiana

Storm Damage Causes School Delays and Power Outages in Northwest Indiana

Severe storms have caused significant disruptions across Northwest Indiana, leading to power outages and school delays. The School Town of Highland has tentatively scheduled the first day for teachers on Monday, August 24, and for students on Tuesday, August 25, pending stable power restoration and safe travel conditions. Gary Community Schools will remain closed on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18, with updates on reopening expected soon. Community support events, sponsored by NIPSCO and partners, are providing meals, bottled water, device charging stations, and storm safety information to affected residents. These events are scheduled from Sunday, August 16, through Tuesday, August 18, at various locations, including the La Porte Civic Auditorium and the Gary YWCA.

125,000 Residents in Northwest Indiana Still Without Power Nearly a Week After Derecho

125,000 Residents in Northwest Indiana Still Without Power Nearly a Week After Derecho

Northwest Indiana continues to grapple with widespread power outages nearly a week after a derecho struck the region on Tuesday. As of Sunday, over 125,000 residents remain without electricity, with critical infrastructure such as police departments, fire stations, and wastewater treatment facilities relying on backup generators. The storm caused significant damage to transmission and distribution systems, leaving many neighborhoods in the dark. Local leaders and residents have expressed frustration over the lack of communication and clear timelines from NIPSCO, the utility company responsible for restoration efforts. NIPSCO has stated that 90% of power is expected to be restored by Tuesday night, with full restoration anticipated by Friday night. However, many affected communities, including Dyer and Munster, Indiana, are still awaiting updates.

100K+ NW Indiana Residents Still Without Power After Severe Storms

100K+ NW Indiana Residents Still Without Power After Severe Storms

Nearly a week after severe storms swept through northwest Indiana, over 100,000 residents remain without power. The storms caused widespread damage, including downed trees and power lines, leaving many communities struggling to recover. Cities like Gary, Hammond, and Merrillville were among the hardest hit. Residents are facing challenges such as extreme heat, spoiled food, and limited access to essential services. Local organizations, including Eight Days of Hope and the Salvation Army, are providing meals and supplies to affected families. NIPSCO, the local utility company, is working to restore power and aims to have all customers reconnected by Friday night. Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced $5,000 grants for storm victims, and federal assistance has been requested to aid recovery efforts. [Source: ABC7 Chicago, published on 2026-08-17 at 16:22 GMT]

Severe Storms and Flooding Threaten Corn Belt Amid Heatwave

Severe Storms and Flooding Threaten Corn Belt Amid Heatwave

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Slight Risk advisory for excessive rainfall across the north-central U.S., including Iowa, eastern Nebraska, northeast Kansas, northern Missouri, and northwest Illinois, as a cold front moves through the region. Heavy rain and flash flooding are expected Tuesday into Wednesday, with the heaviest rainfall today concentrated in the upper Ohio Valley and central Appalachians. Meanwhile, dangerous heat continues to grip the Southern Plains, Southeast, and Southwest, with heat indices ranging from 105–115°F (40–46°C). Hurricane Lala is also bringing flooding rains to Hawaii. Cooler air from Canada is expected to follow the cold front later this week. (Source: Ag Bull Trading, published 2026-08-17 14:10:51 GMT)

Tornado Alley Shifts Eastward, Illinois Leads with Record Tornado Activity

Tornado Alley Shifts Eastward, Illinois Leads with Record Tornado Activity

The 2026 tornado season has highlighted a significant shift in Tornado Alley, traditionally centered in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, moving eastward into more populated areas. Illinois recorded 220 confirmed tornadoes, leading all states in activity, while Indiana and Wisconsin also experienced record-breaking numbers. This shift is attributed to a warming climate, which is pushing warmer and more humid air further north and east. Illinois saw a 45.6% increase in its annual tornado average between 2020 and 2025 compared to the 2000–2025 period, whereas Kansas experienced a 49% decrease in the same comparison. This trend underscores the evolving nature of severe weather patterns in the United States. (Source: Numlock News, published August 17, 2026)

Governors' races are being increasingly buffeted by the toxic politics of data centers

Governors' races are being increasingly buffeted by the toxic politics of data centers

More governors are shifting their stances or taking more steps to squeeze data centers, as the midterm elections near and public opinion sours on the energy-hungry behemoths

Republican Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey Proposes Eliminating Tolls, Governor Pritzker Questions Funding Plan

Republican Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey Proposes Eliminating Tolls, Governor Pritzker Questions Funding Plan

Republican Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has called for the elimination of all tolls in Illinois and the cancellation of an upcoming toll increase. Bailey argues that higher tolls will exacerbate inflation and increase costs for residents and businesses. Motorists using Illinois toll roads are slated to pay an additional 45 cents per toll, with commercial vehicle tolls increasing by 30%, marking the largest increase in the Illinois Tollway's history. This increase was approved as part of last year's $1.3 billion statewide transit bill, which funds tollway construction projects and supports public transit systems like Metra, Pace, and the Chicago Transit Authority. However, Bailey has not yet provided a detailed plan on how the state would replace the revenue generated by tolls or how the transit measure would be funded without the increase. Governor JB Pritzker has criticized Bailey's proposal, stating it lacks fiscal realism and that Bailey "doesn't understand the state budget."

Severe Storms Cause Damage and Power Outages in Northwest Indiana

Severe Storms Cause Damage and Power Outages in Northwest Indiana

A series of severe storms swept through Northwest Indiana on August 11 and 12, 2026, causing significant damage and widespread power outages. The storms, which brought powerful winds, uprooted trees, damaged homes, and caused structural damage to buildings. In Hammond, trees were toppled and homes were damaged along Parrish Avenue and Kentucky Avenue. In Crown Point, the roof of the Loyal Order of the Moose lodge was torn off. Additionally, a semi-truck overturned on Interstate 65 near Lowell. NIPSCO, the local utility company, is working to restore power to affected areas and has released community-specific restoration timelines. The storms have left many residents dealing with property damage and cleanup efforts.

Severe Storms Cause Fatalities and Power Outages in Indiana and Illinois

Severe Storms Cause Fatalities and Power Outages in Indiana and Illinois

Severe storms, including tornadoes and flooding, have caused significant damage across Indiana and Illinois. As of Sunday, August 16, 2026, at least seven storm-related deaths have been reported in Indiana, with three occurring in Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties near the Chicago area. Nearly 150,000 residents in northwest Indiana remain without power. Indiana Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency on Friday, and President Donald Trump approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration on Saturday. FEMA has announced federal disaster assistance to support recovery efforts. In Illinois, Lansing was hit by one of six tornadoes that swept through the Chicago area last week, prompting local leaders to request federal aid. The storms also disrupted events like the Chicago Air and Water Show and the Gary Air Show, which was canceled to prioritize recovery efforts.

Illinois Faces Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes Amid Record Weather Events

Illinois Faces Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes Amid Record Weather Events

Illinois is grappling with a series of severe weather events, including tornadoes, high winds, and flooding, as reported by KWQC. On August 11, southern Cook County and Will County experienced tornadoes and wind gusts nearing 100 mph, while McLean County faced significant wind damage on August 14, with the Normal Fire Department reporting a record number of emergency calls in a single day. Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 3925 on August 14, 2026, to provide financial relief for flood-damaged homes in Chicago. The bill allows eligible homeowners in specific districts to receive rebates covering up to $1,000 of their flood remediation costs. This legislation comes as Illinois has already recorded over 200 tornadoes in 2026, second only to Texas. Source time: Sun, 16 Aug 2026 22:26:12 GMT.

Severe Storms Cause Widespread Damage and Power Outages in Northwest Indiana

Severe Storms Cause Widespread Damage and Power Outages in Northwest Indiana

Northwest Indiana has been grappling with the aftermath of severe storms that swept through the region nearly a week ago. The storms caused significant damage and widespread power outages, leaving many communities in recovery mode. As of Saturday morning, the City of Valparaiso reported that power had been restored to approximately 70% of its residents. Local utility company NIPSCO has been working tirelessly to restore electricity, even setting up a temporary operational hub at Southlake Mall to accommodate the influx of workers addressing the outages. Additionally, local businesses like Strack & Van Til have reopened all their supermarket locations after being impacted by the storms. The recovery efforts are ongoing as the region works to return to normalcy. [nwitimes.com, published: Sun, 16 Aug 2026 16:15:00 GMT]

Storm Recovery Efforts Continue in Chicago and Indiana Amid Severe Weather Impacts

Storm Recovery Efforts Continue in Chicago and Indiana Amid Severe Weather Impacts

Severe weather has left a trail of destruction across the Chicago area and northwest Indiana, with at least seven storm-related deaths reported in Indiana. The region experienced historic rainfall, tornadoes, and flooding beginning August 11, 2026. Nearly 150,000 customers in northwest Indiana remain without power as of Sunday, August 16, 2026. Indiana Governor Mike Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency, and President Donald Trump approved a Presidential Emergency Declaration to provide federal disaster assistance. In Illinois, communities like Lansing and Flossmoor are still recovering from storm damage, with local leaders calling for federal aid. Cleanup efforts are ongoing, but progress has been slow due to the extent of the damage.