Most Power Restored After Helene, Mixed Feedback

AES Indiana explains that restoring power to so many customers is challenging because each case is unique.

Source: Ryan Hedrick / WIBC Radio

INDIANAPOLIS — AES Indiana says it has restored power to nearly everyone in the city after the remnants of Storm Helene swept through Central Indiana on Friday, bringing wind gusts over 65 miles per hour. Some residents were without power for almost two days.

People have mixed opinions about how the utility responded to the widespread outages. At one point, nearly 100,000 residents were without power.

“My power flickered a couple of times,” said George, who lives on the south side of Indianapolis. “It did that all night.”

Sonny, who lives on the northeast side, was cooking dinner for his family when the power went out for several hours. “I have an electric stove, and when the power goes out, it messes things up,” he said.

AES Indiana explains that restoring power to so many customers is challenging because each case is unique, and some may require replacing poles damaged in the storm.

“That’s nature’s problem because if the power lines are going to be out, they’re going to be out,” George added.

Sonny disagreed, saying, “Lower your rates and get the power on quicker.”