Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, April 4, 2016
(PLAINFIELD) - Duke Energy crews reports fewer than 4,400 customers remain without power as a result of strong winds on Saturday afternoon.
"Our crews continue to assess damages, clear debris, install new poles and wires, and restore power," said Howard Fowler, Duke Energy's storm director. "They've battled more heavy wind gusts today, but have worked quickly and safely to make progress in our restoration efforts."
Company appreciates customers' support and patience over the past 24 hours
Duke Energy expects all remaining outages to be restored by 6 p.m. Monday, though the vast majority of customers will be restored sooner. Duke Energy has supplemented its crews with hundreds of workers from nearby private companies and utilities from as far away as Michigan and Wisconsin.
"We've restored more than 44,000 customer outages since Saturday afternoon," said Fowler. "The remaining work is just as important. And while we're proud of our progress, we won't be satisfied until all customers are restored."
Updated estimated restoration times available
Duke Energy continues to update customers' estimated restoration times. These are available by calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800-343-3525 and visiting the company's mobile website at m.duke-energy.com.
Estimated restoration times are continually updated as crews determine the causes of particular outages, what repairs are needed, and how long the work will take to complete.
Abnormal wind storm reason for extended outages
No two weather systems are the same. However, a typical storm has a defined path and, depending on its strength, could lead to power outages in clear-cut areas. In these situations, Duke Energy can usually restore service quickly by re-routing power to a circuit and making a handful of repairs.
Saturday's wind storm was vastly different. It resulted in a high number of smaller outages. In many cases, we were not able to remotely or manually re-route power to specific circuits. That's because the strong winds caused multiple faults on individual circuits, and required crews on-site to assess the damage and install new power poles, lines and other equipment before service could be restored.
Please be safe
Duke Energy reminds customers to stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all power lines energized, as well as trees or limbs in contact with power lines. Please report downed power lines to Duke Energy.
In addition, please remember Indiana's "move over" law, which requires drivers to make way for emergency responders - like utility workers. On roads with only one traffic lane in each direction, drivers must slow down and be prepared to stop.
Additional resources
About Duke Energy Indiana
Duke Energy Indiana's operations provide about 7,500 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 810,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it the state's largest electric supplier.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.
Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.