WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Severe thunderstorms have caused approximately 10,200 customers to lose power across I&M’s service area.
- We know it is inconvenient to be without power and every action we take is focused on restoring service safely and as quickly as possible for every customer.
- Where it is safe, crews are assessing damage, clearing hazards and restoring power.
- Stay away from downed power lines and anything it may be touching and report the hazard to I&M at 1-800-311-4634 or to local police.
SITUATION:
Severe thunderstorms with heavy rain and scattered wind gusts are contributing to power outages across I&M’s service area. As of 3:30 p.m., approximately 10,200 I&M customers are without power. We could see additional outages this evening as weather continues to move across our service territory.
We understand outages are inconvenient for customers. We ask for your understanding, as our priority is the safety of our customers, employees and contractors.
High winds, lightning and heavy rain make it unsafe for bucket trucks to operate or for field workers to climb poles. During the period our field workers are unable to be in the buckets, our teams are assessing damage and clearing hazards. This will keep them on track to complete restoration work more efficiently when weather conditions are safe.
BY THE NUMBERS:
OUTAGES
Total Customers: 10,234
Indiana: 6,993
Southwest Michigan: 3,275
RESTORATION UPDATES:
Once we have estimated times of restoration, we will share those with customers.
The quickest way to stay updated on restoration times is through the I&M app and text/email alerts. The app shows outage details for your home and business, and text or email alerts will send you estimated restoration times. Customers can download and enroll in alerts here.
Customers can also check outage status anytime at IndianaMichiganPower.com/OutageMap.
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.
HOW I&M RESTORES POWER
Customers are often concerned when they see our crews leave before power is restored. The entire line must be assessed before power is restored - for the safety of your family and our crews. Power restoration is prioritized in 4 steps to ensure public safety and restore as many customers as quickly as possible:
1. Assessing - Our crews identify safety hazards and assess the damage to determine what is needed to make repairs.
2. Essentials - Essential public safety facilities such as hospitals, 9-1-1 call centers, water treatment facilities, and police and fire stations are restored first.
3. Large Groups – next our crews restore power to large clusters of customers where a single repair can restore hundreds or thousands of customers.
4. Small clusters and Individuals - are then restored to complete the process.