Storms and high winds caused more than 31,000 Indiana Michigan Power customers to lose electricity on Saturday, Oct. 20.
A Wind Advisory was issued for the entire 95.3 MNC listening area as the storm moved across the region, with wind gusts exceeding 50 mph.
Downed trees and limbs, as well as broken poles and downed wires caused widespread outages affecting approximately 31,200 customers by early Saturday night.
On Sunday evening, Indiana Michigan Power provided the following update:
Crews have made great progress through the day and Indiana Michigan Power has restored more than 4,000 customers since this afternoon’s update. Nearly 75% of customers have been restored. 8,000 customers remain out as of 9 p.m., down from a peak of 31,200 following yesterday’s wind storm. Crews continue to work diligently to restore the many widespread outages in the area, and additional crews from Wisconsin, Ohio and Kentucky have arrived to assist and will be out in the field first thing tomorrow morning.
The approximate numbers of outages per county are:
INDIANA: 2,400
- Delaware County: 100
- Elkhart County: 250
- LaPorte County: 1,150
- Randolph County: 100
- Joseph County: 800
MICHIGAN: 5,500
- Berrien County: 4,700
- Van Buren County: 700
Estimated Restoration Times:
Fort Wayne District
Fort Wayne and Avilla areas: 100% restored by Noon tomorrow
Muncie/Marion District
Muncie area: 100% restored by Midnight tomorrow
Marion area: 100% restored by Midnight tonight
Winchester area: 100% restored by 3:30 p.m. tomorrow
South Bend/Elkhart District
South Bend area: 90% restored by 3 p.m. tomorrow, 100% restored by 3 p.m. Tuesday
Elkhart area: 100% restored by 4 p.m. tomorrow
Michigan District
Benton Harbor area: 90% restored by 6 p.m. tomorrow, 100% restored by 3 p.m. Tuesday
Buchanan area: 90% restored by 6 p.m. tomorrow, 100% restored by 3 p.m. Tuesday
Three Rivers area: 100% by 10 p.m. tonight
This storm caused lots of downed trees/limbs and wires, and broke several poles and transformers. As crews work through the restoration process and restore the majority of customers, more specific estimates will be available for the outages affecting single customers.
Crews will be increasingly working on side roads, in neighborhoods and in customers’ yards. Please be aware of our trucks and personnel on narrow roads and slow down/move over when passing by.
Remember, 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 us at 800-311-4634 to report any downed wires. Also keep your eyes out for broken limbs and branches that may not have fallen yet. Look up and check your surroundings to make sure you stay 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.
You can also follow us on Facebook (Indiana Michigan Power) and Twitter (@IN_MI_Power) for the latest updates.
Incredible wind gusts today. Some notable maximum gusts so far include:
•Michigan City: 59 mph
•Three Rivers: 56 mph
•Elkhart: 53 mph
•Benton Harbor: 46 mph
•South Bend: 43 mph
•Knox: 41 mph #miwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/DGezTPTxT9— Tyler Sebree (@TylerABC57) October 20, 2018
