Indiana Governor Mike Braun, FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton and Gary Mayor Eddie Melton are due to give an update on storm recovery in Gary and across north-west Indiana on Monday.
The news conference is scheduled for noon Central Time at the American Red Cross shelter inside the Hudson Campbell Sports & Fitness Center in Gary.
It comes after severe weather on August 11 caused extensive damage across the region, bringing powerful winds, tornadoes, flooding, fallen trees and damaged power lines. Indiana officials have provisionally described the storm system as a derecho. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/dhs/emergency-management-and-preparedness/august-2026-disaster?utm_source=openai))
Thousands of Gary residents were still without electricity nearly two weeks later, forcing some families to rely on generators while utility crews replaced power poles, removed vegetation and repaired damaged infrastructure.
Mayor Melton declared a local disaster emergency in Gary on August 12 after the storm damaged homes, garages, schools, roads and city infrastructure. The declaration also cited widespread flooding, downed trees and power lines, and prolonged outages. ([gary.gov](https://www.gary.gov/news-updates/city-of-gary-declares-local-disaster-emergency-following-severe-storms-and-tornado-damage?utm_source=openai))
Governor Braun declared a statewide disaster emergency on August 13, directing the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to co-ordinate assistance with local and federal agencies. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/gov/files/EO-26-21.pdf?utm_source=openai))
Indiana’s request for a major disaster declaration was approved on August 25, making both FEMA individual assistance and public assistance available in affected counties. State and federal teams have also been carrying out damage assessments and opening registration centres to help residents apply for support. ([in.gov](https://www.in.gov/gov/hoosier-flood-relief-resources/?utm_source=openai))
