Fort Wayne Ice Storm update

Keep your head up my Obamas.

I & M UPdate:

December 2008 Ice Storm

Update: 9:45 PM, 12/21/2008

Freezing temperatures and 30-40 mph winds resulted in additional power outages to I&M customers in the Fort Wayne area. The high winds today caused ice-laden trees and limbs to fall on power lines, many times after the lines had already been repaired. The frigid weather also resulted in dangerous wind chill temperatures, slowing the restoration efforts. 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 has brought in more than 1,200 additional personnel to restore power to the Fort Wayne region and is expecting more assistance to arrive tomorrow.

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




Location 12/21/08
9:45 PM 12/21/08
6:15 PM 12/21/08
3:00 PM
Avilla, IN 840 1,276 1,276
Decatur, IN 1 86 86
Fort Wayne, IN 53,983 53,090 53,090

Total 54,824 54,452 54,452



12/22/2008 9:15:00 AM : EST


Fort Wayne, IN: includes the greater Fort Wayne area
Decatur, IN: includes Liberty Center, Decatur and Monroeville
Avilla, IN: includes Garrett, Kendallville and Spencerville




Due to the additional outages today, I&M now expects customers in the Avilla area to be restored by 6 p.m. Monday evening. The majority of customers in Fort Wayne 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.





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 of backup generators.

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




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:

Adams County

Decatur:
Zion Lutheran Church
1022 West Monroe

Geneva:
Above City Hall
411 East Line Street

Allen County

New Haven:
Meadowbrook School
1065 Woodmere Drive

Monroeville:
Monroeville Fire Department
Monroeville, Indiana

Fort Wayne

Red Cross Shelter
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




Indiana Customer Service
Phone: 800-311-4634


Updates are listed from most recent to least recent:


12/21/2008 6:15:00 PM EST
12/21/2008 3:00:00 PM EST


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