In the wake of Tuesday’s storms, Gov. Mike Braun said effects are being felt statewide.
“It was mostly wind up here and losing power. … We’ve registered, in Gary, winds at about 99 miles per hour. We’ve got a lot of damage across the state,” Braun said. “This started up here, and moved all the way down across the state southeast in places like Newcastle. Henry County got over 10 inches of rain.”
On Wednesday, Braun assessed Northwest Indiana’s storm damage and coordinated efforts with officials from the state Department of Natural Resources, Department of Homeland Security and Department of Transportation, among others. Braun directed homeland security to lead the storm response.
Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Jonathan Whitham commended Northwest Indiana’s communities for their response to Tuesday’s storms.
The state emergency center has received a “huge number” of requests for assistance, Whitham said, which they’re sending out to state and local partners for help.
“At this point, the local responses have done a fantastic job,” Whitham said. “They’ve stabilized the situation and made sure information is flowing into the state.”
Whitham said teams from various state agencies are ready to assist with whatever is needed in Northwest Indiana and statewide.
The top priority in Northwest Indiana is restoring power, Braun said. The Northern Indiana Public Service Company said in a Wednesday social media post that Tuesday storms led to the largest outage event in company history, with more than 300,000 people without power.
As Northwest Indiana residents wait in long lines at gas stations to fuel their cars or generators, Braun said the state is paying attention to any price gouging and ensuring Hoosiers pay less at gas pumps.
“We already have been paying attention under the gas tax holiday,” he added. “That’s been watched closely. If it happens during something like this, that’s an even higher level of scrutiny.”
As of Wednesday, Braun is leaning more on state and local agencies to help with storm cleanup. However, he said it’s “probably” likely that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be called to assist.
“It’ll take up to a week to see where the damage is, how much and everywhere,” Braun said, adding that the state will go to the federal government after for assistance.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, said Wednesday that he contacted FEMA for assistance regionally. He also said collaboration between federal, state and local agencies is crucial during natural disasters.
“What’s next in recovery?” Mrvan said. “Making sure people and streets are safe and cleared, and making sure … that we’re working together to make sure that we restore power.”
In an earlier Facebook video, Mrvan thanked first responders who have assisted in areas across Northwest Indiana, including LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Schererville and Dyer. A spokeswoman for Mrvan said he was in the neighborhood helping with clean up efforts.
“There are destroyed trees and homes everywhere,” Mrvan said. “What I have witnessed in my own community and on my block is neighbors helping neighbors. Check on seniors, check on those who are vulnerable and make sure that you lend a hand.”
Local communities will likely make emergency declarations to the county, which would make a similar declaration to the state, Mrvan said. State officials would assess the damages, he said, and send a declaration to the federal government, which then works with FEMA for relief funds.
“I have been in contact with FEMA, and we will do everything we can to make sure all local, federal and state agencies are working in a collaborative effort,” Mrvan said.
Once his local office regains power, Mrvan said residents can reach out at (219) 795-1844 for assistance and support. Residents have already started commenting on the Facebook video with questions about power outages, utilizing the Indiana National Guard to support clean up efforts and water connections.
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Gary Mayor Eddie Melton also spoke at the Wednesday update, thanking Braun and state officials for their work to help Northwest Indiana communities.
“The city of Gary was hit extremely hard,” Melton said. “Trees are uprooted, roadways are blocked, and there’s significant power outages. But our public safety team is working around the clock, just like any other community through Northwest Indiana.”
On Wednesday morning, Melton declared a local disaster emergency for the city. He said during the press conference that the city has made its YWCA, located at 150 W. 15th Ave., into an overnight shelter.
“I just want to encourage folks to stay safe, stay out of high water, stay away from downed powerlines,” Melton said. “This is an example of all hands on deck. So, thank you for your time, governor, and thank you for bringing Northwest Indiana together.”
Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott also spoke during Braun’s Wednesday update. The city of Hammond was hit by more than 90 mile per hour winds at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, McDermott said, “causing widespread damage across the city.”
About two-thirds of Hammond residents are without power, he said, but lights are starting to come back on. However, McDermott believes power outages will be prolonged.
As of about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, 22,000 Hammond locations were without power, McDermott added.
“I talked to representatives from NIPSCO this morning, and they said it could take through the weekend to restore power,” he said. “So for those of you that are wondering if you’re going to have dinner under lights tonight, you’re probably not. I would make plans for the worst.”