Midwestern Blackout Crisis (Indiana

Tens of thousands of people in northwest Indiana entered a ninth day without electricity on Thursday after a deadly derecho swept through the region on August 11, causing widespread destruction . Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO) reported approximately 68,000 customers still lacked power, with full restoration in hard-hit Gary and Portage not expected until August 25 . Utility officials described the damage as among the most complex they have encountered, requiring the rebuilding of power systems and replacement of roughly 300 utility poles . Residents voiced frustration and exhaustion as they discarded spoiled food and relied on community centers for hot meals and phone charging . Officials expressed concern over carbon monoxide poisoning risks from generator use and the dangers faced by residents dependent on medical devices . The Indiana National Guard has been deployed to assist with recovery efforts . In a separate weather event, heavy rains caused flooding in Columbus, Ohio, where firefighters rescued a 12-year-old boy who was swept off a bridge .