High winds caused at least 48,000 power outages on Monday throughout the region, according to NIPSCO.
Gary saw the largest number of outages, with more than 14,000 without power, according to its website. Around 3,000 homes are affected in East Chicago and Chesterton with another 1,000 outages in Dyer.
NIPSCO reported 32,000 customers were still without power late Monday.
Dyer told residents via text late Monday NIPSCO told officials it could take multiple days to restore power.
“Most important to your safety is to avoid downed power lines, damaged poles or other hazardous situations,” NIPSCO said on its website. “Every downed wire should be treated as though it is a live wire.”
Purdue University Northwest in Hammond and Ivy Tech in East Chicago both cancelled classes due to power outages, each said. Indiana University Northwest was still in session, a spokeswoman said.
Crews are currently out working to restore power, the utility said. The National Weather Service is predicting wind gusts from 35-40 mph are possible into Tuesday afternoon.
![A jury acquitted a Gary man on all counts Wednesday in a child molesting trial. Olalekan McNeary, 51, was charged in August 2021 with seven felonies, including two counts of child molesting, and two counts of rape. The victim, now a young adult, testified Tuesday that McNeary molested them at age 4, then later sexually assaulted them as a preteen and for the final time on March 27, 2021. The victim said they were only able to say what happened in May 2021 after eating two marijuana edibles. A Gary police report was made on June 4, 2021. DNA evidence […]](https://www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Post-Tribune.jpg?w=620 "A jury acquitted a Gary man on all counts Wednesday in a child molesting trial. Olalekan McNeary, 51, was charged in August 2021 with seven felonies, including two counts of child molesting, and two counts of rape. The victim, now a young adult, testified Tuesday that McNeary molested them at age 4, then later sexually assaulted them as a preteen and for the final time on March 27, 2021. The victim said they were only able to say what happened in May 2021 after eating two marijuana edibles. A Gary police report was made on June 4, 2021. DNA evidence […]")