What a week it has been.
Our community—and communities throughout Northwest Indiana—have been hit by record-breaking power outages, powerful straight-line winds and tornadoes that have created widespread damage across multiple counties.
Recovery is underway, and progress is being made.
NIPSCO continues working around the clock to restore power. Unfortunately, the tremendous number of downed trees and power lines has slowed access to some areas. Tree crews are working alongside NIPSCO, and the Indiana National Guard has also been activated by Governor Braun to assist communities across the state. The Governor has declared a state of emergency, and the Town of Merrillville declared a local disaster emergency on Tuesday afternoon following the storm.
These declarations are important because they allow us to pursue additional emergency resources, funding and personnel as we continue our recovery efforts.
Cleanup Efforts Are Moving Forward
Currently, five crews from Dyer Construction and two crews from Joe’s Landscape are working throughout Merrillville, making tremendous progress clearing and removing residents’ trees and branches from the sides of our roadways.
The first round of cleanup is nearly complete north of 61st Avenue, as well as in the Turkey Creek subdivision.
This afternoon, crews will continue working near 57th Avenue and Harrison Street and south toward 73rd Avenue. Tomorrow, those crews will continue moving south toward U.S. Route 30.
The Town’s Street Department has also been assigned to work within the town boundaries south of U.S. Route 30.
I cannot thank Fire Chief Ed Yerga, our designated disaster plan coordinator, enough for his leadership. Ed has once again done an outstanding job coordinating our emergency response—just as he did in June when Merrillville was struck by the EF2 tornado that tore through the center of our community.
We are also grateful for the outside organizations stepping up to help.
Team Rubicon is currently gathering volunteers and, if enough volunteers are available, will be here Monday morning assisting with cleanup efforts, just as they did following the June tornado.
Police Chief Kosta Nuses also reports that Eight Days of Grace will be joining us to pitch in with cleanup efforts.
We are seeing progress with our traffic signals as well. More signals at busy intersections have been restored, which is helping tremendously at intersections that have been difficult and confusing to navigate while the lights have been out.
Power Restoration
NIPSCO continues making progress on power restoration, although we know it is not happening as quickly as any of us would like.
Commonwealth Edison is sending up to 2,000 line workers to assist NIPSCO with restoration efforts. Additional crews and resources are being brought in because of the extraordinary scope of this storm.
We all need to continue to hang in there. Power will be restored as quickly and safely as possible.
This has been an extraordinary, widespread disaster, and the impact has been felt throughout our entire region. I am writing this update from Town Hall because, like many of you, I still do not have power at my own home.
I understand the frustration. I understand the inconvenience. And I understand how difficult it is when you don’t know exactly when your power will be restored.
But I also want our residents to know this:
Your Town government is working. Our employees are working. Our emergency personnel are working. Outside agencies and organizations are working. And we are doing everything within our control to help Merrillville recover as quickly as possible.
A tremendous thank-you goes to all of our Town employees who continue to step up during times like these. I also want to thank my colleagues on the Merrillville Town Council. We have remained in constant communication throughout this disaster, working together to stay informed and respond to the needs of our community.
I’d also like to thank all of YOU. Stepping up to assist your neighbor, helping to start that stubborn generator, or just moving a tree branch out of the roadway. Thank you.
We will get through this—together.
Thank you for your patience, your understanding and your cooperation as we continue doing everything we can in the areas we can control.
Hang in there, Merrillville. We are making progress.
Don’t forget to sign up for the MyMerrillville App. That is where we are posting news and information about this disaster as well as other town news. See the info below.
— Rick Bella
Town Council President
