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Lori Bugielski and other northwest Indiana residents face significant financial costs and logistical challenges during prolonged power outages.

Thousands of residents in northwest Indiana are struggling with prolonged power outages following severe storms and a tornado. Lori Bugielski, a resident of Lake Station, reported that her family has spent over $1,500 on hotels and meals while waiting for electricity to be restored. The River Forest Community School Corporation is providing hot meals and hygiene products to those affected, while some areas, such as the Woods Park subdivision in Gary, face additional issues with a malfunctioning sewer system due to the lack of power. NIPSCO has been sued in a class-action lawsuit alleging that the utility company failed to perform adequate vegetation management and inspections. While NIPSCO maintains that its vegetation management spending has doubled since 2016, the company plans to vigorously defend itself against the allegations. NIPSCO President Melody Birmingham stated that the company has suspended disconnections for the next week to assist customers. The utility aims to have power restored to all customers in Munster by Monday, August 24.

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