In this episode of The Jim Dedelow Podcast, Jim Dedelow sits down with emergency preparedness and infrastructure expert Geary Sikich to take a closer look at the massive August 11 derecho that devastated Northwest Indiana and left hundreds of thousands of residents without power.

Jim and Geary discuss the storm's widespread impact, the challenges residents and communities faced in the aftermath, and the importance of communication when traditional systems such as internet and cellular service fail. They also examine concerns surrounding aging infrastructure, utility reliability, cybersecurity threats to critical systems, and the vulnerabilities facing Northwest Indiana's electric, gas, water, healthcare, steel, and transportation infrastructure.

The conversation goes beyond the storm itself, asking an important question: What happens the next time a major disaster strikes—and will Northwest Indiana be better prepared?

Geary shares lessons from decades of emergency preparedness and critical infrastructure consulting, including his experience working with utilities, government agencies, and major organizations. He also explains how Chicago's ChicagoFIRST initiative brings government and critical private-sector industries together to prepare for large-scale emergencies—and why a similar model could benefit Northwest Indiana.