Storm Restoration Updates and Safety
7:30 a.m. Storm Update (7/17/24)
From a peak of over 50,000 out after the storms passed through MidAmerican’s territory, crews have been able to restore all but the final 1,200 that were in the most heavily damaged areas.
In Des Moines, the final remaining customers will be restored yet this morning. Crews worked all night to replace broken poles caused by the tornado and prepare the system to be energized.
In the Quad Cities, crews worked overnight to continue progress. Fresh crews relieved overnight crews at 7 a.m. and will work throughout the day to bring the remaining customers on. We expect to restore all customers today.
8:30 p.m. Storm Update (7/16/24)
Crews are continuing their work in Des Moines, where approximately 800 customers are without power. The team is concentrating efforts in the tornado-damaged areas of Urbandale. Between line and tree crews, more than 100 field personnel are working in this area. Estimated restoration time for all remaining customers out is midnight.
Crews are also working in the Quad Cities, where the number of customers without power has been reduced to just over 3,000. Progress is expected to continue with most of the remaining customers being restored by 7 am tomorrow morning and all by 7 pm tomorrow evening.
We appreciate our customers’ patience as our crews and partners from around the Midwest work diligently to clean up storm damage, replace broken poles, repair downed lines and restore service.
2 p.m. Storm Update (7/16/24)
Restoration progress continues as more crews arrive from Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin to assist our MidAmerican line crews, contracted line crews and tree crews. Our team working to restore service to customers is more than 700 people strong!
Des Moines
3:45 p.m. Update: Repair work will continue throughout the evening in the Des Moines area, however, due to extensive damage, some customers won't be restored until midnight.
Damage in the metro is concentrated in the path of a yet to be classified tornado which started impacting our system just south of Douglas Avenue and progressed southeasterly through Windsor Heights and into the South of Grand neighborhood. The area experienced heavy tree damage as the urban forest in this area is dense and mature. Trees being uprooted have also caused issue with our underground facilities as infrastructure is pulled up as the tree is uprooted. The heavy rains we have experienced over the past month have left the ground saturated and trees more susceptible to uprooting in high winds. Due to large tree and limb failures, there is a significant number of poles damaged or broken in the area, with additional locations found as daylight assessments continue into the hardest hit neighborhoods. Tree crews are working closely with line resources to systematically clear our facilities and enable repairs.
Quad Cities
Outages in the Quad Cities metro are focused in two primary areas, Davenport and Moline, however incidents are spread across 500 square miles. Strong winds that started near west central Davenport impacted four substations as it headed east. Damage to large trees caused broken pole, cross arms, transformers, and down primary and secondary wire. The area near and south of Kimberly Rd sustained some of the greatest damage from high winds. Flash flooding in this area combined with substantial tree damage, including full uprooted trees, has delayed our damage assessment efforts. Two substations and multiple feeders were impacted in this area, accounting for a little under half of all customer outages in the QC metro as of this morning. Rear lot ravines, challenging terrain, and saturated soils have slowed restoration progress in Rock Island and Moline as we work to remove downed trees to gain access and restring new lines. Rural Illinois near Edgington sustained high winds which resulted in both transmission and distribution outages from Andalusia to Reynolds taking three substations entirely offline. This has made it challenging to restore distribution circuits, however, damage assessment of the area has allowed for the quick restoration of one substation as well as opportunities for distribution ties to restore customers. Timing of the storm event resulted in extended damage assessment duration to safely patrol circuits in the dark and verify the absence of hazards to the public before energization.
Please report power outages online or by calling us at, 888-427-5632. Check our outage map for updates and sign up to receive email or text alerts.
Always assume a downed power line is energized and call 911 and our emergency line at 1-800-799-4443.
If you think you smell gas, from a safe distance, call the gas emergency line at 1-800-595-5325.
Power Restoration FAQs
How do you prioritize the repair work?
A: When responding to large-scale outages, we start with circuits that serve the most customers, including major transmission lines and large circuits (which sustained extensive damage), then to medium and smaller-capacity lines, and finally individual service lines. Throughout the restoration process we prioritize critical facilities, such as hospitals, shelters and water treatment plants.
1 – Repair transmission lines: After making sure generating plants are back up, we repair lines that transmit power from generating plants to your local area. Each repair can often restore power to thousands of our customers.
2 – Repair substations: Substations, which convert high-voltage power from big transmission lines to smaller distribution lines used by individual customers and businesses, usually serve several thousand of our customers.
3 – Repair distribution lines: Feeder lines leading from substations serve several hundred to more than 1,000 of our customers.
4 – Repair tap lines: Tap lines extend from feeder lines into your individual neighborhood. They generally serve 20 to a few hundred of our customers.
5 – Repair individual connections: This is the most difficult and time-consuming task, as our crews restore power to individual customers. Things that may need extra attention here include downed lines, broken poles and trees on lines.
Why doesn't the outage map show my outage/neighborhood?
A: As more outages are reported the map groups them together, so you may not be able to zoom in on your specific location on the map. The "updates" or "storm info" tabs along the top should have specific details.
My neighbors down the block are back on - but not us! Why?
A: If your power is off but a neighbor’s power is on, you might be on separate circuits.
What do I do if there is meter or service line damage?
A: If the service is pulled away from the house or there is damage to the meter box, you may need an electrician to make repairs prior to having your power restored. Find out what equipment is the property owner's responsibility to repair.
I keep seeing trucks drive by or a crew member sitting in his/her vehicle - what are they doing?
A: They may be assessing damage or looking for "quick fixes" to get power turned back on, or possibly watching live wires to ensure people stay away.
Who removes tree debris?
A: When clearing damaged limbs or removing trees after a storm, we make sure the area is electrically safe, but property owners are responsible for removing the debris after major storms. We recommend contacting your city or municipality for assistance.
