Strong wind gusts and heavy rain are expected Wednesday evening and overnight into the morning hours in Fort Wayne, South Bend, Elkhart, Muncie and Marion in Indiana and across Southwest Michigan. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) employees are prepared to respond to any power outages that may occur across its service territory. 

American Electric Power (AEP), I&M’s parent company, has a full staff of meteorologists to keep employees informed of inclement weather, which enables line workers, meter reader operations and other departments to begin work on logistics and storm preparation. I&M monitors weather conditions before, during and after any storm.

Once the storms pass and when it’s safe to do so, a contingent of I&M crews will start assessing any damage and restore power to customers and communities.

SAFETY INFO

I&M has five tips to help keep your family prepared and connected during severe weather and possible power outages:

1. Plan Ahead: Ahead of severe weather, have a plan in place. Know your safe area in your home – such as a basement or a storm shelter. Decide what to do in the event of an extended power outage. Check in on senior citizens, those will small children and those who have medical conditions to ensure they have plan.
2. Make an Emergency Kit: Have a backpack or bag with emergency items including non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, fresh batteries, a battery-powered radio or television, a portable cell phone charging bank, a blanket or sleeping bag, a first aid kit and any necessary medications.
3. Prepare Your Property: Strong winds can toss and topple lawn furniture, umbrellas and even trampolines across yards and possibly into power lines. Secure any loose objects in your yard. Remember, if the power goes, unplug electronics and appliances to protect them when power is restored.
4. Stay Away from Downed Lines: Remember, all downed lines should be considered deadly. The lines and anything they could touch, including fences or in standing water, can carry electric currents which could cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you see a fallen wire, keep yourself and others, including pets away and call 911 or Indiana Michigan Power and report the hazard on our app or website.
5. Remember, Safety First: Never operate lanterns, heaters, fuel-fired stoves or burn charcoal without proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fire. Also, if you’re using a generator, make sure you know how to properly use it — this protects you and our line workers as they work to restore power.

Customers can view more safety tips and a guide for what to do before, during and after a storm at IndianaMichiganPower.com/safety.

HOW TO REPORT AN OUTAGE

Customers who may experience an outage can report it to I&M in the following ways:

• I&M’s website, IndianaMichiganPower.com/outages/report
• I&M’s mobile app, IndianaMichiganPower.com/App
• I&M’s 24/7 Customers Solutions Center, 1-800-311-4634

STAY CONNECTED

• I&M Customers can use the I&M app to monitor the status of any outage affecting your home or business -- IndianaMichiganPower.com/App.
• Customers can sign up for text and email alerts on the app or at IndianaMichiganPower.com/Alerts.
• Customers can see the location and status of outages using our outage map at IndianaMichiganPower.com/OutageMap.
• Customers can follow I&M on Facebook and Twitter, where they can get up-to-date information and help from customer service representatives to report your outage and check restoration times.