Storm and Outage Details

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Winds died down overnight, allowing Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) crews to make significant progress in restoring service to customers. The majority of customers in the Elkhart and South Bend areas have been restored.
• We know how hard it is to wait, and we want you to know that every outage is important to us and will be restored as quickly and safely as possible.
• As of 8:30 a.m., more than 80% of affected customers have power. Approximately 4,800 customers are without service – 4,700 in Indiana and 100 in MI -- down from the peak outage total of more than 27,000 customers.
• The vast majority of customers who can receive power will be restored by 11 p.m. Saturday. Remaining customers who lost power during Friday’s wind event should be restored by 4 p.m. on Sunday.
• The fastest way to get information is through the I&M app and text or email alerts. The app shows outage details for your home or business, and alerts can send estimated restoration times. Customers can download and enroll in alerts here.
• Although high winds prevented crews from safely going up in bucket trucks on Friday, weather conditions are predicted to be favorable for restoration efforts today. 
• Approximately 850 storm restoration experts, including lineworkers and tree trimming experts, will work throughout the day and night. 
• The widespread windstorm created hundreds of small, scattered outages. This will be our team’s main focus today.
• So far, we have identified:
  • approximately 180 broken or damaged poles
  • more than 560 individual spans of downed wire (a span is the length of line between two poles)

CAN CUSTOMERS RECEIVE POWER?

• Now’s the time to check whether your home can safely receive power. If your service entrance (the part you own) is damaged, I&M can’t reconnect power until a licensed electrician makes repairs. You can learn more about homeowner and I&M responsibilities here.
• If crews see damage that prevents I&M from restoring power to specific homes or businesses, we will call customers directly or leave a door hanger.

SAFETY TIPS

• Watch out for downed wires. Stay away from downed power lines and anything it may be touching – like a fence or a tree. Report any hazard to I&M at 1-800-311-4634 or to local police.
• 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.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Look up if you’re outside as the saturated ground could cause a tree or limb to fall at any moment. Also, be aware of debris flying in the air or into the roadway.
• 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.