AEP – I&M Update

From the AEP website:

Storms & Outages

December 2008 Ice Storm – Update: 9:15 PM, 12/22/2008

I&M continues to make progress in its restoration efforts, despite the frigid temperatures and winds that have plagued the Fort Wayne area for the past several days. Weather forecasts call for the wind to abate tonight and temperatures to be slightly warmer during the day on Tuesday.

Of 210 circuits in the Fort Wayne area, 142 have been damaged. Much of the damage requires tree crews to cut and clear debris before repairing the wires. In addition, many customers have experienced damage to their individual services. Repairs to restore power from an ice storm of this magnitude is an extremely labor intensive process.

I&M advises customers who are still without power to find a warm, safe place to stay, either with friends, relatives or at one of the shelters listed below.

I&M now has more than 1,300 personnel working to restore power to the Fort Wayne region with another 260 workers arriving tomorrow morning to assist with the restoration effort. To that end, I&M advises Fort Wayne area residents to use caution in areas where trucks and crews are present.

Property owners must make sure that the service entrance attached to their structure is prepared to be reenergized. Read more details on homeowner responsibilities.

 

Customers Currently Without Power

Location	12/22/08 9:15 PM	12/22/08 3:15 PM	12/22/08 9:00 AM
Avilla, IN	0Â	0Â	837Â
Decatur, IN	0Â	669Â	Â
Fort Wayne, IN	37,451Â	41,324Â	43,290Â
Â	Â	Â	Â
Total	37,451	41,993	44,127

 

Status of Restoration Efforts

Progress was made in the restoration process throughout the day.

All customers in Avilla and Decatur have been restored.

The majority of customers in Decatur, Fort Wayne in and Allen County should have power restored by Wednesday evening. However, it appears likely that some customers won´t be restored by Wednesday and our restoration efforts will continue through Christmas and the end of the week.

 

Safety Messages

Never touch a downed utility wire, no matter how harmless it looks. It can be difficult to distinguish between a power line and a cable or telephone line. All downed lines should be considered energized and dangerous. And don’t touch anything in contact with the line, such as trees, fences or puddles of water, since they can conduct electricity. Keep children and pets away from this potential hazard. Call Indiana Michigan Power to report any downed lines or equipment.

If you use a portable or RV generator, do not plug the generator into your circuit box. Portable generators “backfeed” electricity up the line and risk the lives of repair workers and the public. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions carefully, and plug essential appliances directly into the generator. See additional information about use ofbackup generators.

With temperatures expected to to be in single digits again today, residents are encouraged to look after elderly relatives, neighbors or friends who may be reluctant to leave their homes. Shelter infomation in listed below.

 

Customer Information

Electric consumers who have had power restored are asked to turn on their porch lights so that patrolling service technicians can better spot residences that are still without power in the neighborhood.

Customers are reminded that during storm restoration situations, Indiana Michigan Power tree crews clear rights of way of trees and move on to the next location. Indiana Michigan Power does not return to remove the cut trees. Property owners are responsible for brush removal.

The following shelters are now open to the public:

 

Red Cross Shelter (Pet Shelter available)
Memorial Coliseum
4000 Parnell Ave.

Red Cross Shelter
South Side High School
3601 S. Calhoun St.

Showers
YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne is offering free showers at these branches:

• Central Branch YMCA at 1022 Barr St.; hours are 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

• Parkview Family YMCA at 10001 Dawsons Creek Blvd.; hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
• Jorgensen Family YMCA at 10313 Aboite Center Road; hours are hours are 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
• Old Fort YMCA at 2221 Reed Street; hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

 

Customer Information

Indiana Customer Service Phone: 800-311-4634

 

Prior Updates

Updates are listed from most recent to least recent:

12/22/2008 3:15:00 PM EST

12/22/2008 9:00:00 AM EST