A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), alleging the utility failed to properly manage vegetation before severe storms knocked out power across the region, according to WGN-TV.
The lawsuit, reported by WGN-TV and ABC7 Chicago, claims inadequate tree trimming and vegetation control contributed to the widespread outages. The legal action comes as residents in northwestern Indiana, including the town of Gary, have now gone up to 11 days without electricity, with many describing the situation as "survival mode," according to NPR.
WGN-TV reports that the lawsuit centers on NIPSCO's preparation ahead of the storm, specifically its vegetation management practices. ABC7 Chicago adds that the outages have also led to a setback for a transmission line project in Schererville, though details on that impact remain limited.
The prolonged outages have created mounting hardship for residents. NPR notes that some Indiana households are enduring a ninth day without power, while NBC Chicago reports a water main break has added to the region's troubles, compounding the difficulties for those already struggling.
NIPSCO has faced increasing pressure as the outages drag on, with residents in Gary reportedly "pinching on food" while waiting for restoration, per WGN-TV. The utility's response and the timeline for full power restoration remain unclear.
What to watch next: Whether the court grants class certification and how NIPSCO responds to the allegations in its formal legal defense.
