August 2026 Severe Weather Response

Severe weather moved quickly across Northwest Indiana on Tuesday, August 11, leaving communities throughout the region with widespread power outages, downed trees, flooding and significant storm damage. While Michigan City was fortunate to avoid some of the more severe impacts seen in surrounding communities, the storm has disrupted power, roadways and City services for thousands of our residents.

The City of Michigan City remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents throughout this event. Our elected officials and City staff have been working tirelessly since the storm began to keep City operations running as close to normal as possible.

This page serves as the City of Michigan City’s central source for storm recovery information. In addition to our social media platforms, updates will be posted below in reverse chronological order, with the most recent information appearing first.

PLEASE NOTE: Ongoing power outages and network issues may cause delays in updates to this webpage.

If you are in danger or experiencing an emergency, dial 911.

Right Now:

LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, MORNING

AUGUST 14 — STORM RECOVERY UPDATE

POWER RESTORATION

NIPSCO reports 2,997 Michigan City customers remain without power, down from approximately 7,385 on Tuesday evening.

For those still without power, we know recovery cannot come quickly enough.

GENERATOR SAFETY

If you’re using a generator, please keep it outside and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and vents. Never operate one in a garage or other enclosed space. Carbon monoxide has no color or smell and can be fatal. Make sure your home has a working CO detector.

Never connect a generator to a household outlet to power your home. Doing so can send electricity back onto utility lines and put crews working to restore power in danger. If a generator needs to be connected to your home’s electrical system, have a licensed electrician properly install a transfer switch.

More on generator safety from NIPSCO: https://www.nipsco.com/outages/power-outages/generator-safety

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

The YMCA (Elston Location) is offering showers (provide photo ID,) as well as charging stations for those who need to charge phones and other essential devices.

Emergency meals and snacks will be available at 1:30 p.m. today, August 14.

The YMCA (Elston Location) will be open until 8 p.m. tonight and from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow, August 15.

MEDICAL NEEDS & EMERGENCY SHELTER

If you have a medical condition and need temporary medical shelter due to the ongoing power outages, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 219-873-1400 so we can help connect you with available assistance.

NOTE: If you are experiencing a medical emergency or need immediate emergency care, dial 911.

COOLING CENTERS:

FUEL

Gas stations with power continue to receive regular fuel deliveries. Residents should plan for longer lines or temporary delays at some locations as our community and the surrounding region continue to recover.

LOCAL BUSINESSES

We’ve been speaking directly with business owners across the City. Power outages continue to affect the ability of some businesses to open, maintain adequate staffing and serve customers. As power is restored, we encourage you to support our local businesses when possible and be patient with those doing their best to serve the community.

WELNETZ ROAD

Welnetz Road remains blocked by storm-related hazards. City crews are prepared to address the obstruction as soon as NIPSCO determines the area is safe for our crews to begin work.

LOOKING OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER

Please continue to be patient and kind—to your neighbors and to those coming into Michigan City to care for family and loved ones. Keep checking on one another and offering a helping hand where you can.

Mayor Angie

August 13 — Refuse Collection Update

We know many residents are still waiting for their trash to be collected following this week’s severe weather.

Our Refuse team is ready and able to collect trash. The current challenge is what happens after it is collected. Several of the City’s waste partners and facilities that receive our trash have been impacted by the storm, limiting where and how much collected trash can be received. Therefore, our ability to collect City trash at normal volumes has been impacted.

We are actively working with our partners to navigate these challenges and will continue making as many collections as circumstances allow, including through the weekend.

We understand the inconveniences that come with a missed or delayed pickup, especially as our community recovers from the storm. That’s why our crews are working extended hours to get the job done.

What Residents Should Do

Regardless of your normal pickup day, if your trash has not yet been collected this week, please leave your toter out at its normal pickup location. Crews will continue to follow a structured collection order and will collect your trash as soon as circumstances allow.

Once your trash has been collected, please remove your toter from the curb as normal.

Citations related to toters remaining curbside outside of normal collection windows have been suspended during this period.

Thank you for your understanding. We will continue to provide updates as circumstances improve.

August 12 — Storm Recovery Update

City crews are working together to address downed trees, debris in roadways, standing water and other impacts from Tuesday’s severe storm.

Tree and Debris Removal

Trash and compost collection were suspended Wednesday so Refuse Department employees could assist the Street Department with clearing downed trees and storm debris.

Vector Control is also assisting, and crews from all three departments will continue working through the weekend to clear debris and keep roadways open.

The adjusted collection schedule announced Wednesday was:

• Thursday’s trash scheduled for collection Friday.
• Friday’s trash scheduled for collection Saturday.

Please note: Refuse operations have since been further impacted by storm-related disruptions affecting the City’s waste partners. See the August 13 Refuse Collection Update above for the most current collection information.

Downed Power Lines

The City received numerous reports of trees down on power lines and is aware of affected locations. The City remains in contact with NIPSCO, whose crews are addressing sites involving electrical lines.

City crews are placing barricades at affected locations. Residents should never approach or attempt to move a downed power line. Stay well away from these areas and obey all barricades.

Standing Water Near Knapp School

The lift station near Knapp School lost power during the storm. Michigan City Sanitary District crews responded with a generator and began clearing inlets.

Crews are addressing standing water in streets in the area. Residents should avoid driving through standing water whenever possible.

Transit Service

Michigan City Transit is operating its regular bus schedule. Riders should allow additional travel time and be prepared for possible storm-related delays.

August 11 — 5:00 PM Update

In just a few hours, Michigan City crews made significant progress clearing major obstructions and restoring road access throughout the City.

With high-traffic roadways addressed, crews shifted their focus to residential roads and side streets.

Reports indicated Michigan City may have experienced less storm damage than some surrounding communities. At the time of the update, an estimated 7,385 residents remained without power. Residents were encouraged to continue reporting outages to NIPSCO to help accurately assess damage and coordinate repairs.

Residents were also encouraged to check on their neighbors, especially seniors and those who may need assistance. A quick knock on the door can help make sure everyone is safe.

We thank our City crews, Police, Fire and other personnel for their quick response and continued work.

August 11 — Initial Severe Weather Response

As the City continued to see the effects of severe weather that quickly developed over Michigan City, residents were urged to remain cautious and alert to changing conditions.

Residents were advised to stay away from downed power lines and treat all lines as live and dangerous. Power outages and downed lines should be reported directly to NIPSCO.

As soon as conditions became safe, Michigan City crews began surveying damage, clearing debris and addressing impacted areas. Several fallen trees were blocking roadways, and the City coordinated alternative routes to maintain access for first responders.

Residents were asked to give crews and first responders space to work and remember to slow down and move over.

During the immediate response, residents who needed a safe place to shelter were directed to the following City facilities:

• Michigan City City Hall — 100 E. Michigan Blvd.
• Michigan City Fire Administration — 2510 E. Michigan Blvd.
• Michigan City Police Department — 1201 E. Michigan Blvd.

Residents should continue to use caution and avoid hazardous or barricaded areas as recovery work continues.