Storm and Outage Details

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Strong winds reaching up to 67 mph and heavy rainstorms have left approximately 12,200 Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) customers without power in South Bend and southwest Michigan. Additional storms later tonight may slow restoration efforts and cause new outages.
• Nearly 250 I&M restoration experts are working through the night as conditions allow with 500 additional workers arriving from Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia. Additional weather could slow repairs, but conditions are expected to improve.
• Restoration times will be determined after the next storm front moves through later tonight. Customers should use the I&M app and enroll in text/email alerts for the fastest updates and estimated restoration times.
• Look out for downed wires. Stay away from any downed power lines and anything it may be touching out of your line of sight, including fences, trees and debris. Report any hazard to I&M at 1-800-311-4634 or to local police.

SITUATION:

I&M is safely and quickly working to restore power to customers after heavy rain and strong winds reaching up to 67 miles per hour caused outages, especially in South Bend and southwest Michigan service areas. The strong winds caused trees to break and fall into power lines or equipment.

As of 9:30 p.m., approximately 12,200 customers are without service. Nearly 250 restoration crews will work through the night to restore power, as weather conditions allow. Approximately 500 additional personnel will arrive this evening to help from Kentucky, Michigan and West Virginia.

There are additional storms forecasted through the night, which could delay restoration efforts and cause additional outages. During high winds, it is unsafe for bucket trucks to operate, limiting the types of repairs our crews can perform. Winds are expected to ease late tonight and into tomorrow, creating favorable restoration conditions for crews.

We know an outage is inconvenient for customers, especially during the busy evening hours. We ask for your understanding, as our priority is the safety of our customers, employees and contractors.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Watch out for downed wires. Stay away from downed power lines and anything it may be touching or is hidden by debris – like a fence or a tree. Report any hazard to I&M at 1-800-311-4634 or to local police.
• Be Alert. Trees could fall or drop limbs at any moment. Be alert and look around and up.
• Give crews space. If you see an I&M crew, please give them enough space to work and do not try to ask them questions. They are working with and near dangerous equipment.
• Some traffic lights are out. If a stoplight isn’t working, treat it as a stop sign. Take it slow on the road.
• Use generators safely. Connect all appliances directly to the generator. Don’t connect the generator's electrical output to any home or building electrical circuits. Don’t use gas-powered generators in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, like inside a garage or a home.
• For more safety tips, visit IndianaMichiganPower.com/Weather.