Duke Energy announced it has restored power to more than 77,00 customers as of 4 p.m. Thursday after powerful storms damaged power lines, poles and electrical infrastructure throughout the state. There still are approximately 22,000 residents remaining out of service.
Duke Energy said it expects the majority of customers will have restored power by 11:59 p.m. April 10, with many restored sooner. Extensive damage in the Westfield/Carmel area downed 40 transmission poles, and power restoration may extend to 11:59 p.m. April 12 for some customers, specifically those in the Derby Ridge subdivision.
“We know this is an extremely challenging time, and extended power outages can cause added stress,” Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar stated. “We worked through the night to restore service to critical facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes. We have an army of resources responding to restore power as quickly as possible, and we thank our customers for their patience while we restore their power.”
Although storms damage cities and towns across the state, the hardest hit areas are Hamilton County and Vincennes.
In Hamilton County there are approximately 40 poles down that carry two major power lines on them along Ditch Road between 161st Street and Ind. 32, which also left the Ditch Road substation inoperable. Duke Energy was able to reroute power to restore service to the majority of customers in that area, but some of the Westfield customers affected will remain out of service until the poles are replaced.
Customers experiencing a power outage can report their outage by phone at 800-343-3525, through Duke Energy’s mobile app, online at duke-energy.com or by texting their outage to 57801.
The public should avoid fallen power lines. Duke Energy also is asking the public to not approach crews in the field and instead allow them to focus on their work.
