When the lights go out during a storm, customers depend on us to work safely and quickly to restore power. Our work actually starts before the first rain drop or snowflake falls. 

At I&M we have a number of employees whose job it is to prepare for severe weather and major power restoration efforts. Here are six ways we plan ahead of the storm and help keep customers with power.

We watch the weather. Scott Bennett is our Region Support Manager. He is fully immersed, along with a vast team of I&M employees, with wind charts, weather patterns and more. Bennett keeps in close contact with AEP’s team of meteorologists to stay ahead of the weather. Our meteorologists specifically look for weather threats that may impact electrical equipment, like power poles, power lines and trees. For example, heavy wet snow could weigh trees down, causing them to snap and fall onto equipment. In many cases, preliminary weather alerts are available in advance and more detailed reports are issued as the inclement weather approaches. 

We activate the Emergency Response Plan (ERP). Days before a storm, Bennett gathers I&M employees for the Incident Management Team to be prepared to meet at a moment’s notice. AEP uses the Incident Command System (ICS) structure to follow ERP protocols. Employees are assigned key roles and I&M schedules meetings before, during and after the restoration process.

We call for help. Depending on the forecasts from AEP meteorologists, Bennett and the I&M Leadership team analyze the predicted path of the storm and the potential damage threats to decide if we need help. Through a mutual assistance program, a support system that relies on fellow AEP operating companies and other power companies across the region, I&M can pull in additional resources when needed. I&M also responds to help other companies restore power after severe weather events like ice storms and devastating hurricanes.

We get ready. Each storm is different and often unpredictable. In preparation of working long, hard hours in the elements our line workers, tree trimming experts, damage assessors and other frontline workers stock up. Crews will pack their trucks with extra materials, tools, personal protection equipment (PPE), storm gear, drinking water, snacks and other safety equipment.

We respond quickly. As soon as it’s safe, our employees disperse across the affected area to assess the damage. Assessment can be the most time-consuming because of downed trees, inaccessible roads, hazardous conditions and debris often covering equipment and roadways. This important initial report Planning and Operations helps employees prioritize where to assign crews. A more detailed assessment phase comes next – including an exact count of equipment needed for every repair. Once the full picture comes into view, estimated restoration times are entered into the system and customers are alerted. Sign up for text alerts here.

We monitor and reassess. Depending on the damage and future inclement weather, managers and teams in the ICS structure reposition crews from Indiana and Michigan and the additional resources acquired to the hardest-hit areas. The management team continually reassesses the situation and crews converge on these devastated areas as they complete their initial assignments.

Every employee remains committed to safe and effective restoration effort until every single customer is back in power. For weather-ready safety tips, click here.