Storm and Outage Details

WHAT’S NEW:

• Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) has a strong team of I&M employees, mutual assistance personnel and contractors working in the sun and heat to safely and quickly restore customers after Thursday’s severe storms. 
• Due to the heat, I&M restoration workers will take breaks, likely in their vehicles, to cool down and stay hydrated so they can continue safely restoring power.
• Prior to the storms I&M asked for mutual assistance personnel and more personnel are either on the ground working or traveling with a Saturday arrival to assist in the hardest-hit area of southwest Michigan.
• I&M damage assessors have found more than 220 individual spans of downed wires, and more than 50 broken or damaged power poles.
• Now is the time for customers to determine if their home can receive power. I&M cannot connect power to a home or business if there is damage to the service entrance, which is owned by the customer. A licensed electrician must repair damage before power can be restored. Learn more about the responsibilities of a property owner and I&M here.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• As of 1:30 p.m., approximately 26,000 customers are without power – down from more than 35,000 customers at the peak of the storm. Nearly all remaining outages are in southwest Michigan.
• Due to considerable damage to electrical equipment, I&M anticipates having most southwest Michigan customers who can receive power restored by 11 p.m., Saturday May 17 and Indiana customers by 11 p.m., Friday, May 16. Many customers will receive service before the estimated time.
• Please be aware, as crews work to safely repair the electrical system additional outages may occur. Customers can stay up to date with their specific outage with the I&M Mobile App - IndianaMichiganPower.com/App.
• I&M is closely monitoring the potential for additional storms this afternoon. If outages do occur I&M will be staffed to respond.
• I&M urges the public to remain a safe distance away from crews restoring power. Our team is working near dangerous equipment, often in clearly marked safe areas. Please be alert in work zones and give enough room to keep crews safe as they work to restore power.
• Safety remains a significant concern. As customers survey their property, please treat any downed lines as energized. Call local police to report any hazards or call I&M immediately at 1-800-311-4634.

RECEIVE RESTORATION UPDATES:

As a result of the significant impacts from the storm, I&M anticipates most southwest Michigan customers should be restored by 11 p.m., Saturday May 17 and Indiana customers by 11 p.m. Friday, May 16. Most customers will have power before the estimated time.

As crews begin work on individual outages, an estimated time of restoration will be communicated to customers. Stay connected and informed with the following:

• Monitor the status of your outage at IndianaMichiganPower.com/App.
• Sign up for text and email alerts on the app or at IndianaMichiganPower.com/Alerts.
• View outages and estimates at IndianaMichiganPower.com/OutageMap.

SAFETY MESSAGES:

• Stay Away from Downed Lines: Remember, all downed lines should be considered deadly. The power line and anything it 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 immediately at 1-800-311-4634.
• Take it slow on the road. For those driving, take it slow and be on the lookout for utility personnel, emergency personnel and tree removal crews working in the area.

• For more safety tips visit IndianaMichiganPower.com/safety/storms/.