NASA Satellites Capture Northwest Indiana Blackout from Space
NASA Satellites Show Massive Power Outages in Indiana After Derecho Storms
What Happened?
This week, catastrophic storms called a derecho (say it like duh-RAY-cho) tore through the Chicago area and northwest Indiana. A derecho is a long-lasting, fast-moving line of intense thunderstorms with very strong straight-line winds—not twisting like a tornado, but pushing forward like a giant wall of wind.
The damage was so bad that you can see the power outages from space!
What NASA Satellites Saw
NASA satellites take pictures of Earth at night. They can see lights from cities and towns. By comparing photos from before and after the storms, scientists can see exactly where the power went out.
| Date | What the Satellite Shows |
|---|---|
| Sunday, August 9 (before storms) | Northwest Indiana and Chicago glowing brightly with lights |
| Thursday, August 13 (after storms) | Huge dark patches where lights used to be — meaning no electricity |
The image above (from NASA) shows this dramatic difference. On the left: Thursday, August 13. On the right: Sunday, August 9. The darkness on the left? That’s 317,000 homes and businesses without power.
By the Numbers: How Big Was This Outage?
- 60%+ of NIPSCO’s customers lost power at the peak
- ~317,000 outages reported across northwest Indiana on Thursday
- 163,000+ customers restored since Tuesday (crews working nonstop!)
- 158,000 customers still without power as of Saturday, 11 a.m.
Important Point: NIPSCO (the local electric utility) says this is one of the largest outage events in company history.
How Are Crews Fixing It?
Restoring power after a derecho is a massive, step-by-step job. Here’s what crews do:
- Assess damage – Walk or drive every line to find broken poles, downed wires, and fallen trees
- Make it safe – De-energize (turn off) damaged lines so no one gets hurt
- Replace broken equipment – Swap out snapped poles, transformers, and miles of wire
- Restore power in sections – Turn electricity back on neighborhood by neighborhood
- Double-check – Make sure everything works and no new problems pop up
NIPSCO crews have been working around the clock since Tuesday. They’ve already restored power to over 163,000 customers — but there’s still a long way to go.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
While crews fix the grid, communities are stepping up:
- Checking on elderly or vulnerable neighbors
- Sharing generators, ice, and coolers
- Offering charging stations for phones and medical devices
- Delivering meals and water
In tough times, small acts of kindness make a huge difference.
Summary
- A derecho (powerful straight-line windstorm) hit northwest Indiana and Chicago this week
- NASA satellites captured the outages from space — before/after images show massive dark zones
- Over 317,000 customers lost power at peak; 60%+ of NIPSCO’s grid went down
- Crews restored 163,000+ customers, but 158,000 remained without power as of Saturday morning
- This is one of the worst outages in NIPSCO history
- Neighbors are supporting each other while waiting for full restoration
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What exactly is a derecho?
A derecho is a widespread, long-lived windstorm caused by a line of severe thunderstorms. Unlike tornadoes (which spin), derecho winds blow straight ahead — often 60–100+ mph — and can travel hundreds of miles.
How can satellites see power outages?
Satellites like NASA’s Suomi NPP have sensors that detect visible light at night. When a city goes dark, the satellite sees a “hole” in the light map. Scientists compare before/after images to map outages.
Why does it take so long to restore power?
After a derecho, thousands of poles, wires, and transformers can be damaged across a huge area. Crews must find every break, replace parts safely, and test each section before turning power back on. It’s like fixing a giant spiderweb — one strand at a time.
What should I do if my power is still out?
- Stay away from downed power lines — assume they’re live and dangerous
- Report your outage to NIPSCO (online or by phone)
- Use flashlights, not candles (fire risk)
- Keep fridge/freezer closed to preserve food
- Check on neighbors, especially seniors or those with medical needs
Where can I get updates?
- NIPSCO Outage Map: nipsco.com/outages
- Local news: NBC Chicago and other stations
- NIPSCO social media for real-time crew updates
Stay safe, stay informed, and thank a lineworker if you see one — they’re the reason the lights come back on.