TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — After severe thunderstorms moved through the Wabash Valley Wednesday evening several Duke Energy customers were left without power.
In Clay County, EMA Director Rob Gambil said they received a lot of reports regarding downed trees and power lines. Gambil said there was also one weather-related accident.
“We had one personal injury accident during the storm. a family drove off the roadway due to hydroplaning and one possible serious injury from that,” said Gambil.
Duke Energy District Manager Rick Burger estimates the maximum number of outages in the area at one point was all the way up to 15,000.
Burger said some of the most impacted areas, when it comes to outages, were Riley and Corey as there was a broken pole on a circuit. Power has since been restored in those areas.
As we move into storm season, Burger encourages people to have a preparedness plan in case their power goes out.
“I would encourage people if you’re on a life-supporting device be sure that Duke Energy knows that there’s you’re on a list and we know that you’re on a life-supporting device again I remind people how we bring customers back on large numbers to small numbers but our priorities are hospitals, nursing homes, priority with the people that’s on life support,” said Burger.
If you’re in Clay County, you can sign up for their new Code Red Alert System. The system will notify the public of severe weather and other emergencies so you can always be prepared. Gambil said the system worked great Wednesday and encourages all Clay County residents to sing up for it.
Burger also commended local emergency, county and city officials for working together during severe weather events.
