Severe weather alert issued, power outages reported

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Indiana Michigan Power (I &M) & NIPSCO reported power outages across parts of Michiana.

A severe thunderstorm alert was issued by the National Weather Service which include St. Joseph, Starke and La Porte Counties.

Power Outage Alert. Power was out briefly to thousands of Mishawaka Utilities customers due to loss of power feed from I&M into city (Mishawaka Utilities buys power from I&M) I&M has restored power through their feeds to Mishawaka & all power has been restored to MU customers.

— Dave Wood, Mayor (@MishawakaMayor) September 26, 2018

According to I & M, approximately 1,119 customers are without power.

Areas affected include Buchanan, Fort Wayne, Harlan, Hoagland and Upland.

Click here to view the status of power outages.

NIPSCO is also reporting approximately 15,000 customers are affected by power outages in Bristol, Cedar Lake, Demotte, Dyer, Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Highland, Hobart, and Knox.

Click here to view the status of power outages.

NIPSCO issued an alert saying in part, "We are experiencing an escalated storm event which has caused power outages affecting more than 15,000 customers primarily in Lake, Porter and La Porte County areas."

Restoration times have not been released as crews are assessing conditions.

South Shore is reporting eastbound train 17 and 119 are delayed approximately 20 minutes due to severe weather.