I&M Ready for Summer Storms and Encourages Customers to Prepare

FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 31, 2024 - Strong to severe thunderstorms Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are predicted to impact communities across Indiana Michigan Power's (I&M) service area. These storms are expected to bring damaging winds, which may lead to downed trees, power outages, local flooding and travel problems.

I&M is closely monitoring the weather and is ready to respond if needed. We are encouraging customers toreview and practice what to do before, during and after a storm.

"We work hard every day to prevent power outages resulting from severe weather," said Katie Davis, I&M's vice president of External Affairs and Customer Experience. "When severe weather strikes, we have a team of highly trained employees who stand ready to safely restore power. We also encourage our customers to learn what steps they can take to prepare for the summer storm season."

How I&M Prepares

Ongoing, Preventative Maintenance: From trimming trees away from power lines to updating equipment and adding smart technology, crews work year-round to proactively maintain and enhance our electrical system to help prevent possible power outages.

Proactive Monitoring: Our team of meteorologists closely monitors incoming weather, predicting the timing and severity of storms that may cause outages for customers. Their work helps us better position crews and equipment ahead of the weather to speed up restoration efforts.

Always On: Crews are ready to deploy from 11 strategically located service centers in Indiana and Michigan. When needed, we partner with other utilities to bring in additional workers to restore power.

How Customers Can Prepare

Plan Ahead: Identify a safe area ahead of time so everyone knows where to go before or during severe weather. Customers - especially senior citizens and individuals with health conditions, or those with young children - should make sure they have a plan.

Make an Emergency Kit: Have a backpack or bag with emergency items including non-perishable food, water, a flashlight, fresh batteries, a battery-powered radio or television, a portable cell phone charging bank, a blanket or sleeping bag, a first-aid kit and any necessary medications.

Prepare Your Property: Secure any loose objects outside of your home such as furniture, umbrellas or trampolines that could become airborne.

Stay Away from Downed Lines: Remember, all downed lines should be considered deadly. The power line and anything it could touch, including fences or in standing water, can carry electric currents which could cause serious or even fatal injuries. If you see a fallen wire, keep yourself and others, including pets away and call 911 or Indiana Michigan Power immediately at 1-800-311-4634.

Stay Connected: We're committed to keeping our customers informed. To receive the latest information, you can download the I&M mobile app, sign up for text and email alerts and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

For more information and safety tips, please visit www.IndianaMichiganPower.com/Weather.

# # #

Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2023 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company's generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation.

At American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, we understand that our customers and communities depend on safe, reliable and affordable power. Our nearly 16,000 employees operate and maintain more than 40,000 miles of transmission lines, the nation's largest electric transmission system, and more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver power to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with nearly 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including approximately 6,000 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP is investing $43 billion over the next five years to make the electric grid cleaner and more reliable. We are on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and have a goal to achieve net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement and inclusion. AEP's family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Schnee Doyle

Communications Consultant Sr.

574-218-5987

[email protected]

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.