(Fort Wayne, IN) - Indiana Michigan Power has been recognized for its response in restoring power after a June storm.

 

The company has received the Edison Electric Institute's Emergency Recovery Award, a very coveted honor in the industry.  The award recognizes the dedication of I&M employees, contractors and crews from neighboring power companies who worked tirelessly to restore power following multiple rounds of severe weather on June 11 and 13.

 

The storms caused widespread damage across northern Indiana, leaving thousands of customers without power. The hardest-hit areas were South Bend and Elkhart, where an EF-2 tornado with winds of up to 115 mph damaged poles, power lines and other electrical equipment.

 

During one of the largest storm recovery efforts in recent company history, I&M's storm restoration team worked nearly 136,000 hours in challenging heat and humidity to repair more than 300 broken poles and rebuilding more than 700 sections of power line.

 

Such dedication helped restore power to approximately 62,000 customers with over 90% of customers having their power restored within 42 hours, I&M said.

 

Winners for the EEI Emergency Recovery Award were selected by a panel of judges through a nomination process.

 

"When severe weather strikes, our member companies mobilize around the clock to restore power safely and as quickly as possible for the customers they serve," said Drew Maloney, President and CEO of EEI.

 

“This honor reflects the skill and determination of I&M's workforce, who prepare year-round so they're ready to face the toughest conditions and get the lights back on for communities who depend on them,” he said.