Indiana Michigan Power says it is closely monitoring the potential for severe weather expected to move through the region this evening and late tonight, Tuesday, March 10.

Forecasters are calling for the possibility of heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong winds and hail across the utility’s service area. Company officials say crews are preparing in case the storms cause power outages.

Indiana Michigan Power says its storm restoration teams—including lineworkers, damage assessors and tree-trimming crews—are ready to respond and will begin restoring service once conditions are safe.

The company is encouraging customers to prepare ahead of the storms. Officials recommend assembling a storm kit and emergency plan, charging phones and tablets, and securing outdoor items that could be blown away by strong winds, such as patio furniture, trash cans and trampolines.

Customers are also advised to check that their contact information is up to date in their I&M account so they can receive outage notifications. The utility’s mobile app and alert system can provide updates and estimated restoration times during outages.

Safety is also a major concern during and after severe weather. Indiana Michigan Power reminds residents to treat all downed power lines as energized and dangerous. People should stay at least 10 feet away from downed lines and anything they may be touching, including fences or debris, and report hazards to local police or the utility.

Customers are also asked to keep a safe distance from utility crews working to restore power.

More safety information and storm preparation tips are available on Indiana Michigan Power’s website.