Severe storms swept the Chicago area and northwest Indiana on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, knocking out electricity for more than half a million customers. The outages affected customers of Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) and Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), the region’s two main electric utilities.
By 1 p.m., more than 280,000 ComEd customers and over 280,500 NIPSCO customers were without power. The combined figure approached the total of half a million customers who lost service as the storms moved through the region.
Utility crews began restoration work after the storms passed. After the initial round of repairs, over 194,000 ComEd customers and just over 290,000 NIPSCO customers remained without electricity. The numbers show that a substantial portion of the outage pool persisted into the afternoon.
The storms caused damage to power lines, transformers and other infrastructure, prompting crews from both utilities to mobilize across the affected area. Workers focused on clearing debris, repairing broken lines and re‑energizing substations throughout the day, with the goal of restoring service as quickly and safely as possible.
Officials from ComEd and NIPSCO reported that restoration efforts would continue into the evening and beyond, depending on the extent of damage and weather conditions. Residents in the hardest‑hit neighborhoods were advised to conserve any remaining power, avoid downed lines and stay informed through utility updates.