The following information from Indiana-Michigan Power was released on Sunday, Feb. 25:
Strong winds from 45 to 50 mph pushed through Indiana Michigan Power’s service territory overnight Saturday night/early Sunday, resulting in power disruptions.
Meanwhile, Indiana Michigan Power continues to monitor its six dams on the St. Joseph River as residents of the South Bend Area and southwest Michigan continue to battle floodwaters.
At 1 p.m., about 4,300 customers across I&M’s service territory were without power, most of them in the Marion area. I&M crews are working to restore power to about 330 South Bend area customers and about 180 southwest Michigan customers.
This morning, at the Berrien Springs Hydroelectric Dam, river flow has decreased and pond elevations lowered, allowing Indiana Michigan Power to notify Emergency Response agencies the previously declared high flow event is no longer in effect.
No high water emergencies remain in effect for the other five hydro-electric dams that Indiana Michigan Power operates on the St. Joseph River. All of the dams are functioning per engineered design.
The number of customers whose service has been disconnected for safety reasons due to flooding in the South Bend/Elkhart area and southwest Michigan is approximately 1,150.
Total Michigan Customers: 640
Benton Harbor area: 344
Buchanan area: 253
Three Rivers area: 43
Total Indiana Customers: 513
Elkhart area: 457
South Bend area: 56
INDIANA MICHIGAN POWER OUTAGE MAP
I&M is in close contact with public safety agencies and other authorities. I&M will continue working with them in coming days after water recedes to help coordinate the safe reconnection of customers.
I&M cannot restore service to customers whose power was disconnected due to flooding until an inspection by the local government electrical inspector is completed.
STEPS TO RECONNECT
1. Flood waters recede
2. An inspection is conducted by the local government electric inspector
3. I&M receives approval from the inspector
4. I&M reconnects the meter and restores power at the home
NOTE: If there is damage to the meter base or riser pipe, you will need to have repairs completed by a
qualified electrician before we can safely restore power.
For neighborhoods that have been de-energized at the pole from a fuse, transformer, etc.:
• Once the flooding reaches a level where we can get access to the meters, I&M will
disconnect the properties that need inspections or are not ready for reconnection
• I&M will then re-energize the pole, which will bring power to the properties that had
no damage or are ready to be reconnected
• For the properties that remain disconnected, once inspections are completed and we
Receive notification from the inspector, or property owner, we will reconnect those meters
Indiana customers who need more information can call Indiana Michigan Power at 800-311-4634; Michigan customers should call 800-311-6424.
