Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) has established a plan to best prepare for the impending April 8 solar eclipse, which will directly impact areas within totality including the Muncie-Marion area and southern portion of Fort Wayne for just under three hours. Those areas are subject to total darkness for about four minutes, between 3:07 p.m. and 3:11 p.m. Remaining areas within I&M’s footprint will experience a partial eclipse, including southwest Michigan, South Bend/Elkhart and the majority of Fort Wayne.
In preparation for this event, I&M has proactively:
- Strategically Placed Crews and Adjusted Work Shifts: Crews will not be working in populated areas and will be performing work at or near the service centers throughout the morning hours. Designated crews from each district will work a modified shift from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. to cover the time of the event and when visitors depart viewing locations.
- Adjusted Work Assignments for Business Partners: In the areas impacted by totality, our business partners will be working alternative days or have been reassigned work outside the high traffic areas with the highest number of visitors.
- Connected with Community Partners: We will remain in close communication with local Emergency Management Agencies and law enforcement in advance of the event. This includes monitoring traffic patterns and requesting law enforcement escorts, if needed, to access our equipment during any outages.
- Ensured Outage Restoration is Completed Safely and As Quick as Possible: With the expected increase in traffic, our crews are prepared to work outages as they relate to vehicle accidents with poles or other I&M equipment.
Eyes on Safety
The safety of the public and our employees remains our top priority. Heavy traffic is expected due to a surge of visitors traveling to view the event. This may increase vehicle accidents, which can cause power outages across our service territories. These outages can take time to repair depending on the extent of damage and equipment needed to make repairs. Drivers are encouraged to:
- Eliminate distractions such as texting, making calls, setting navigation systems or adjusting the radio.
- Be alert for I&M crews or other first responders/emergency vehicles along roadways.
- Emphasize defensive driving. Remember that an usually large number of drivers are unfamiliar with the roads in the area and make sudden turns or stops.
- Avoid travel during this time if you can do so.
Drivers are being encouraged to further prepare for limited availability in gasoline and food on applicable routes due to a higher volume of travelers. Cell phone service may also be impacted due to heightened network use.
If you do plan to view the event, the only safe way to look directly at the sun is through a special-purpose solar filter. These solar filters are used in “eclipse glasses” or in hand-held solar viewers. They must meet a very specific worldwide standard known as ISO 12312-2. Ordinary sunglasses or exposed film negatives are not a safe alternative to these designated filters.
Read more on eye protection and how to safely view a solar eclipse here.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kara Stevenson
Corporate Communications
260-446-5102
klstevenson@aep.com