When severe storms and flooding moved through our region, many families were left dealing with uncertainty, damage and the long road to recovery. In moments like these, having the right people and resources in place can make all the difference. That's why the Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) Foundation is proud to support the local agencies that help keep our communities safe before, during and after emergencies.
In Elkhart County, the I&M Foundation helped the county's Emergency Management Agency purchase a dozen new emergency response radios after officials identified a need to replace aging equipment. While they may look like simple tools, these radios play a critical role during emergencies by helping first responders stay connected and share information quickly. The upgrade also ensures different emergency agencies can communicate with one another more easily, helping teams work together to keep everyone safe when it matters most.
"We are truly grateful to the Indiana Michigan Power Foundation for its incredible generosity and donation to Elkhart County EMA," said Jennifer Tobey, Executive Director of Elkhart County Emergency Management. "Their support demonstrates a powerful commitment to our community and to the people who work every day to keep Elkhart County safe. Thank you for standing with us."
The support extends beyond Elkhart County. Across northeast Indiana, the I&M Foundation has helped communities better prepare for emergencies by supporting projects such as a new tornado siren, a mass casualty response vehicle and more emergency response radios.
While these resources may not always be visible, their impact is. They help emergency managers respond more quickly, communicate more effectively and better protect the families, neighborhoods and communities we live in.
"At its heart, storm preparedness is about neighbors looking out for neighbors," said Annie Smith, external affairs manager for the Greater South Bend, Elkhart and Southwest Michigan area. "When communities have strong partnerships and the right resources in place, they're better prepared to respond when severe weather strikes. We're proud to support the Elkhart County EMA team and the important work they do to keep our communities safe."
Supporting local emergency preparedness is just one of the ways I&M is active in the communities we call home. In 2025, the I&M Foundation provided support to 137 agencies and nonprofit organizations across Indiana and Michigan. At the same time, I&M employees contributed more than 4,100 volunteer hours, helping strengthen the places where our customers, employees and families live, work and grow.
Be Prepared
Residents can take steps today to be ready for severe weather and possible power outages:
- Stay connected with I&M. Keep your phone number and email address up to date for your I&M Account so you can receive outage updates and important alerts.
- Secure outdoor items before a storm. Bring in or tie down lawn furniture, umbrellas, toys, grills, trampolines and other loose items that could be blown into homes, vehicles or power lines during high winds.
- Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume a fallen line is energized. Keep people and pets away and report it immediately to local authorities or I&M at 1-800-311-4634.
For more preparedness tips, visit IndianaMichgianPower.com/Weather.
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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2024 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.
American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We plan to invest $78 billion from 2026 through 2030 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 18,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 252,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 32,000 megawatts of diverse owned and contracted generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit aep.com.