US: Power outage occurring in South Bend and Elkhart, Ind., Jan. 3

Event

A power outage is occurring in parts of South Bend and Elkhart, Indiana, and its surrounding areas, as of Jan. 3. The outage appears to have been caused by a transformer explosion. Authorities did not state the timeframe for service normalization; intermittent outages may continue through late Jan. 3.

Commercial and transport disruptions are possible. Businesses without backup generators may have to suspend operations. Traffic lights may not function, resulting in traffic disruptions. The power outage may also prompt brief municipal water outages, telecommunication disruptions, and interruptions to electronic water filtration systems. Lingering disruptions are possible after regular supply resumes.

Advice

Charge all communication and portable electronic devices when possible. Unplug electronic equipment that is not connected to surge protectors. Exercise caution when driving in areas affected by power outages. Ensure that generators are functional if operating in affected areas. Confirm business appointments. Verify that security systems are working, including after power resumes. Follow all security personnel instructions.