MidAmerican earns national award for storm outage EEI-responses
Edison Electric Institute honors MidAmerican’s recovery efforts following two major July 2025 storms
DES MOINES, Iowa (Mar. 28, 2026) – The national association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies awarded MidAmerican Energy the Emergency Response Award for its restoration efforts following two major storms in 2025.
The Edison Electric Institute award, presented last week in Washington, D.C., recognizes “heroic recovery efforts” by electric companies following extreme weather events.
EEI honored MidAmerican and its employees for their response to severe weather events that occurred July 10-12 and again July 27-29.
July 10: Severe thunderstorms
On the evening of July 10, severe thunderstorms with wind speeds exceeding 60 mph impacted the Des Moines metro area, followed by two more days of heavy thunderstorms across eastern Iowa. The storms impacted eastern Iowa with flash flooding, two tornadoes and large hail.
On the evening of July 10, severe thunderstorms with wind speeds exceeding 60 mph impacted the Des Moines metro area, followed by two more days of heavy thunderstorms across eastern Iowa. The storms impacted eastern Iowa with flash flooding, two tornadoes and large hail.
The outbreak impacted service to more than 73,000 MidAmerican customers in central and eastern Iowa, causing heavy damage in the Des Moines metro area and Quad Cities. During the first storm, crews restored service to all customers within 24 hours – due in large part to advance preparations that positioned crews strategically before the weather moved through.
After the second round, crews working around the clock restored 98% of affected customers within 24 hours.
July 27-29: Severe weather, including a derecho
On July 27, severe weather again developed across Iowa. During the evening of July 28 into the early morning hours of July 29, a well-organized line of storms, including a derecho, moved through northern and eastern Iowa. Wind gusts in eastern Iowa reached nearly 60 mph, with isolated gusts approaching 70–80 mph.
On July 27, severe weather again developed across Iowa. During the evening of July 28 into the early morning hours of July 29, a well-organized line of storms, including a derecho, moved through northern and eastern Iowa. Wind gusts in eastern Iowa reached nearly 60 mph, with isolated gusts approaching 70–80 mph.
The storms damaged or destroyed more than 100 transmission poles and miles of overhead lines and equipment, cutting off power to more than 105,000 MidAmerican customers.
To accelerate restoration, MidAmerican crews built emergency ties to neighboring utility systems and deployed three portable generators to restore service to local areas while permanent repairs were underway. These actions helped reduce restoration times by several days. Crews restored electricity to 99% of affected customers within 24 hours.
“Both of these severe weather outbreaks last July caused significant damage to our system and knocked out service for tens of thousands of customers,” said Nick Nation, senior vice president, delivery. “Each time, our operations teams immediately developed repair plans and executed them safely, working around the clock, with amazing speed. We couldn’t be prouder of their efforts, and this award reflects their dedication, skill and commitment to our customers.”
About MidAmerican Energy Company
MidAmerican Energy, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, serves 838,000 electric customers in Iowa, Illinois and South Dakota, and 811,000 natural gas customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. Information about MidAmerican is available at MidAmericanEnergy.com and company social media channels.
MidAmerican Energy, headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, serves 838,000 electric customers in Iowa, Illinois and South Dakota, and 811,000 natural gas customers in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota. Information about MidAmerican is available at MidAmericanEnergy.com and company social media channels.