A resident clears storm debris from a flooded yard in northwestern Indiana, where more than 70,000 people lost power for over a week after severe storms. Photo: PBS NewsHour
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August 26, 2026
More than 70,000 people in northwestern Indiana lost power for over a week after storms downed lines and flooded neighborhoods. Students explore why recovery stalled, who's responsible, and how communities can prepare for disasters.
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More than 70,000 people in northwestern Indiana were without power more than a week after a series of storms downed trees, knocked out power lines and flooded neighborhoods. Local officials have scrambled to restore electricity as frustrated residents accuse them of not doing enough. Stephanie Sy reports.
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Short on time? Watch the video and complete the following See, Think, Wonder questions: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?
Due to changing weather patterns across the U.S., parts of the U.S. are increasingly subject to damaging storms. One of the most impactful storms of recent years was Hurricane Helene, which struck the southeastern U.S. in September 2024 and left millions without power and roads open for aid to reach impacted residents.
A recent graphic novel called Islands in the Sky captures the history of that storm through a series of short stories and oral histories. Check out this lesson to learn more about the event and the ways communities and individuals responded to the long-term loss of power and services.
After reading some of the stories from Islands in the Sky, discuss:
Devastation, loss of life, and trauma following a natural disaster like hurricanes, earthquakes or wildfires can be emotionally damaging to our children. Share My Lesson’s curated collection of free resources will help not only you and your students, but your school and community understand and cope with natural disasters and their aftermath.
Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.
