On June 11, severe storms swept across northern Indiana, bringing damaging winds, heavy rain, and significant impacts to our electrical system. I was reminded once again of the resilience that defines our cooperative and the communities we serve.

At the peak of the event, approximately 3,200 LaGrange County REMC members experienced outages, making this one of the most significant weather-related restoration efforts our cooperative has faced in recent years. It was eerily similar to the storm that damaged northern Indiana back in 2020.

The damage from this storm was extensive. Fallen trees, broken poles, downed power lines, and damaged equipment were reported throughout our service territory. In some areas, crews encountered multiple hazards on a single-line section, requiring repairs to be completed before restoration work could continue safely. An EF-1 tornado was later confirmed in portions of LaGrange and Steuben counties, contributing to the destruction and challenging restoration conditions.

When storms of this magnitude occur, our first priority is always safety. Before power can be restored, crews must assess damage, identify hazards, and ensure conditions are safe for both our employees and the public. While members understandably want their electricity restored as quickly as possible, restoration work is a carefully coordinated process that requires patience, planning, and a commitment to safety.

I could not be more proud of the dedication shown by our lineworkers, operations personnel, member service representatives, and support staff throughout this event. Many worked around the clock through difficult conditions, spending long hours away from their families to restore service to our members. Their professionalism and commitment reflect the very best of what cooperative service means.

I would also like to thank the neighboring electric co-ops, contract crews, emergency responders, county officials, and public works departments that assisted throughout the restoration effort. Storm recovery is truly a team effort, and the cooperation between organizations helped accelerate the return of service across our communities.

Most importantly, I want to thank our members. Your patience, understanding, and support during the outage were greatly appreciated.

We recognize the inconvenience and hardship that power interruptions can create, especially for families, businesses, and farms that depend on reliable electric service every day.

Events like this serve as a reminder that severe weather can occur with little warning.

I encourage all members to review their emergency preparedness plans, keep mobile devices charged during storm threats, and maintain a supply of essentials in case of extended outages.

While we cannot prevent every storm, we remain committed to investing in our electric system, maintaining infrastructure, and improving reliability wherever possible. Those investments, combined with the dedication of our employees and the support of our members, help ensure that LaGrange County REMC remains prepared to meet future challenges.

Thank you for your continued trust in your cooperative. Together, we weather every storm and emerge stronger as a community.