Gary, Indiana Storms: How You Can Help
The storms that tore through Northwest Indiana on August 11, 2026, brought wind gusts topping 100 mph and knocked out power to roughly 300,000 NIPSCO customers, the largest outage in the utility's history. Gary was hit hardest. Two weeks later, thousands of residents are still waiting for the lights to come back on. Families have lost refrigerated food and medication, and residents who depend on electric medical equipment have had to find workarounds in the August heat.
Recovery will take longer than the power restoration timeline. But Gary isn't facing it alone. Neighbors have been clearing fallen trees off each other's homes, local nonprofits opened cooling centers within hours of the first outage, and NBA legend Glenn Robinson and Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton have already put real money behind the relief effort. Food banks, faith communities, and relief organizations across the region are mobilizing quickly, and the support keeps growing.
If you're looking to help residents of Gary and the surrounding Northwest Indiana communities get through this and rebuild, here's where your gift can go to work right now.
Remember, there are many nonprofits raising funds after a disaster like this one. To confirm a charity is legitimate before you give, use tools like Charity Navigator, Candid (formerly GuideStar), and TEOS (tax-exempt organization search).
Support emergency response and immediate relief
- American Red Cross: The Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross Indiana Region has been on the ground in Gary since the storms hit, providing shelter, meals, relief items, and other essential support. When you donate, note "Indiana Region, Flood Recovery Aid" to direct your gift.
- The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is distributing meals, water, and emergency supplies across Lake County, including through its Hammond-Munster Corps.
- World Central Kitchen: WCK has served thousands of meals in Gary and nearby Lake Ridge, working with local volunteers to reach residents affected by the outage.
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary: Catholic Charities is offering direct assistance to displaced residents, including food, clothing, and housing help, through its Disaster Relief Fund.
Help Gary, IN, rebuild long term
- Legacy Foundation: Greater Gary Storm Recovery and Relief Fund: Legacy Foundation, the community foundation for Lake County, is coordinating recovery dollars from local businesses and donors and channeling them directly to residents and organizations on the ground.
- Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana: Habitat NWI helps families in Gary and the surrounding area repair and rebuild homes damaged by disasters like this one. You can donate or ask about volunteer opportunities on their site.
Provide food and essential supplies
- Food Bank of Northwest Indiana: The food bank is running mobile markets across Gary and Lake County to get food to residents who lost what was in their refrigerators during the outage. They're also seeking volunteers to help distribute supplies.
- United Way of Northwest Indiana: United Way's Emergency Help Fund provides rapid grants to nonprofits and public agencies addressing urgent needs created by the storms.
Support Gary's community organizations
- Gary Branch NAACP: The Gary Branch has partnered with NIPSCO to distribute hundreds of free meals a day to residents at community centers around the city.
- YWCA of Northwest Indiana: The YWCA's Gary facility has served as a community resource point during the outage, and continues to support women and families in the area.
Keep an eye out for updates
As power restoration in Gary, Indiana, continues and more organizations mobilize, this list will be updated. Check back for new ways to help.
Access our comprehensive disaster preparedness plan.
