Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is restoring power with more than 350 employees and contractors working in impacted neighborhoods and communities and with another 100 crews on the way to assist.
At the peak of the storms overnight, more than 27,000 were without service. As of 12:30 p.m., more than 19,000 customers are without electricity in Indiana and Michigan, with crews restoring approximately 8,000 customers so far today.
The majority of customers without power are in the hard-hit Southwest Michigan area from Tuesday morning after a substation flooded with 2-feet of water, affecting more than 17,000 customers at the peak.
Currently there are more than 11,000 customers in Michigan without electricity. The Fort Wayne and the South Bend/Elkhart areas were also impacted by last night’s storms with approximately 7,000 customers without power.
Heavy rain, lightning and wind gusts up to 60-miles-per-hour were recorded overnight in I&M’s service area. I&M line workers, damage assessors, tree crews and contractors are working 16-hour shifts, in the dangerous heat, to restore power to all customers. So far, crews have discovered 12 broken poles and 4 damaged transformers.
Before power can be restored, crews first assess damage and determine which employees, equipment and other supplies are needed to make repairs. Due to this, customers may see damage assessors in neighborhoods before crews arrive to start restoration work.
In Southwest Michigan, crews continue performing time-consuming work to restore customers who lost service Tuesday morning due to the flooded Bridgman substation, which affected three other substations in the New Buffalo, Three Oaks and Lakeside area. Crews are working to install a mobile station and make new repairs after last night’s severe weather.
ESTIMATED TIMES OF RESTORATION (ETRs):
Below are estimated times of restorations available for customers. However, another line of storms is forecast to hit this afternoon/evening, which may hinder restoration efforts or cause additional outages.
Buchanan and Three Rivers area estimated to be 90% restored by 10 p.m. tonight.
Benton Harbor area estimated to be 90% restored by 10 p.m., tomorrow (Thursday) night.
Fort Wayne area estimated to be 90% restored by 10 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) night.
South Bend/Elkhart area estimated to be 90% restored by 10 p.m. tonight.
I&M encourages customers to use the Indiana Michigan Power app to monitor the status of any outage affecting your home or business.
Another update will be made available late this afternoon.
OUTAGE UPDATE
Berrien County Emergency Management has several cooling centers open:
New Buffalo Township Public Safety Building – 18959 US-12, New Buffalo MI 49117
Michiana Village Hall – 4000 Cherokee Drive, New Buffalo MI 49117
Lake Township Hall – 3220 W. Shawnee Road, Bridgman MI 49106
I&M understands the inconvenience of being without electrical service, especially in this heat. I&M appreciates the patience from customers as employees work as safely and as quickly as possible, in the hot temperatures and rain.
I&M encourages customers to use the Indiana Michigan Power app to report and monitor the status of any outage affecting your home or business.
SAFETY INFO:
Safety remains I&M’s top priority during restoration efforts, for employees, customers and the communities we serve. Along with inclement weather expected again this afternoon/evening and a heat advisory, there are numerous safety hazards to keep in mind. Here are a few tips to stay safe:
Stay away from any downed wires and report them to I&M. You can contact I&M by calling 1-800-311-4634, report on our app or website, or call 911.
Use caution around debris and fences. Fallen limbs and other debris can hide downed power lines, and a downed line may be contacting a fence out of line of sight. Look around carefully.
Avoid standing water, especially if a downed wire is near. Electricity can travel through water.
The extreme heat can pose many risks. If you’re working outside, take frequent breaks in the shade. Make sure you are hydrating and taking all precautions when in the sun. Utilize nearby cooling centers if necessary.
Don’t use gas-powered generators in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, like inside a garage or a home. Keep gas-powered generators away from open windows, so deadly exhaust does not enter anyone’s home.
Look up as trees or limbs could fall at any moment.
Use caution as traffic lights may not be working and be mindful of first responders and utility workers on the roadways.
I&M employees and contractors will be working alongside the road and in neighborhoods. We urge the public not to approach our crews.
OUTAGE UPDATE
8-11-2021 | 1:00 p.m.
OUTAGE NUMBERS (as of 12:30 p.m.):
Michigan: Approximately 11,710
Benton Harbor area: 1,983
Buchanan area: 7,559
Three Rivers area: 2,168
Indiana: Approximately 7,259
Fort Wayne area: 6,239
South Bend area: 920
Elkhart area: fewer than 10
