STORM RECOVERY UPDATE (10:30 a.m. Aug. 21)

Estimated Restoration Time for Merrillville is Friday, Aug. 21, by 11:59 p.m.

• 29,648 customers were impacted by the Aug. 11 storm

• 23,624 customers have been restored

• 6,024 customers remain without power

• Safety remains the top priority for both customers and restoration crews.

• NIPSCO will communicate community-specific Estimated Times of Restoration (ETRs) only when confidence in meeting those timelines is high.

• The published ETR will represent the time by which approximately 95% of affected customers are expected to be restored, with customers being restored continuously from now until all are restored.

• Currently, NIPSCO has lineworkers, substation technicians and tree crews actively performing work to restore 3,511 customers. Work will continue to be assigned as restoration work is completed and manpower is shifted to the community.

• As NIPSCO completes restoration work in each community, NIPSCO will continue to strategically place resources in other communities to expedite safe power restoration.

WEATHERHEAD AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EQUIPMENT

NIPSCO is reporting that some residents may be unable to have electrical service immediately restored because repairs are needed to their electrical equipment, such as weatherheads, before restoration can progress. Licensed electrical contractors must complete the work. Please contact the Merrillville Planning and Building Department at 219-769-3631 before hiring contractors to ensure they are properly licensed with the town of Merrillville. The attached flyer provides more details.

COMMUNITY MEAL

The Merrillville Clerk-Treasurer's Office and Town Administration are providing free meals from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 at the Town Hall parking lot, 7820 Broadway.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, sodas, waters and a snack will be provided. One meal per person. While supplies last.

RESOURCES

Legacy Foundation, the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, and the Town of Merrillville have awarded nearly $400,000 to support local storm relief efforts for Merrillville residents.

This includes assistance with insurance deductibles, utility and rent relief, home repairs, and food access in connection with the June 11 tornado and Aug. 11 storm. Merrillville residents can contact the local organizations on the attached flyer for information about available resources.

BRANCH AND DEBRIS COLLECTION

Dyer Construction crews are in town focusing on areas north of U.S. 30. The Merrillville Street Department continues focusing on areas south of U.S. 30

In addition to collecting tree debris, Dyer Construction is handling the collection of household items being discarded due to the storm. Crews can’t collect items with refrigerant in them or tires. Please place debris at the curb for pickup. Crews are expected to make multiple passes as they travel neighborhood to neighborhood. Thank you to our residents for your patience and cooperation as we continue making progress in Merrillville's recovery.