Crews still working to restore power following Saturday’s storm

Published 11:14 am Monday, October 22, 2018

 

Indiana Michigan Power announced Monday morning that it has restored power to more than 90 percent of Indiana customers and 2/3 of Michigan customers affected by Saturday’s storms and high winds.

There were 6,600 customers with power still out as of 10 a.m., down from a peak of 31,200.

On Saturday, gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour caused trees and limbs to fall, tearing down power lines and breaking dozens of poles across I&M’s territory. Crews have worked hard over the weekend, IMP officials said. They also said the appreciate customers’ patience as they continue to repair the widespread damage. Crews will keep at it, working 16-hour days until power is restored to all of customers, the company said. Additional crews from Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin have joined Michiana workers to assist, and crews finishing repairs in the Fort Wayne and Muncie areas are heading north as well.

The approximate numbers of outages per county are:

MICHIGAN: 5,400

  • Berrien County: 4,650
  • Van Buren County: 750

The Marion, Indiana and Three Rivers, Michigan areas have been fully restored. The estimated restoration times for customers remaining out are:

Michigan Area

  • Benton Harbor area: 90 percent restored by 6 p.m. Monday, 100 percent restored by 3 p.m. Tuesday
  • Buchanan area: 90 percent restored by 6 p.m. Monday, 100 percent restored by 3 p.m. Tuesday

Monday and Tuesday crews will be increasingly working on side roads, in neighborhoods and in customers’ yards. Officials asked drivers to be aware of trucks and personnel on narrow roads and slow down/move over when passing by.

They also advised that downed wires should always be considered energized and dangerous. Keep away from them and anything they could be touching. Watch for wires down that could be touching fences or hidden under tree limbs or debris. Stay away and call 800-311-4634 to report any downed wires. People should also keep an eye out for broken limbs and branches that may not have fallen yet. They are asked to look above them and make sure they are safe.

Customers are encouraged to report outages every 24 hours, and can do so or check the latest restoration information for their account via our website ( IndianaMichiganPower.com/Outages ) or our new mobile app; search for Indiana Michigan Power in the App Store or Google Play to download it today.

For more updates visit Facebook (Indiana Michigan Power) and Twitter (@IN_MI_Power).