A late-afternoon thunderstorm ripped across the Indianapolis metro last night briefly turning an ordinary start to the week into a scramble for flashlights and phone chargers. The fast-moving system cut power to roughly 20,000 customers, triggered flash-flood and severe-storm alerts, and left some low-lying streets taking on water. Utility crews were dispatched across the city and nearby suburbs as officials urged residents to steer clear of downed lines and stay cautious while restoration work continues.
According to IndyStar, AES Indiana's outage map showed just under 16,000 customers in the dark while Duke Energy's tracker listed about 4,700 more, bringing the total to more than 20,000 people without power at the storm’s peak. Utilities said crews fanned out to assess damage and start repairs in the hardest-hit neighborhoods, as city and county teams responded to reports of trees and wires down across several corridors.
Forecasters Warned Of Flash Flooding And Strong Winds
The National Weather Service had a severe thunderstorm watch up for much of central Indiana and a flash-flood warning running into the night, cautioning that additional rainfall could trigger sudden urban flooding. NWS meteorologist Joseph Nield told IndyStar that most of the storm activity was expected to track from the western part of the metro into eastern Illinois for a few hours. As of about 6:45 p.m., the agency said it had not received many confirmed reports of flash flooding but warned that conditions could change quickly.
How To Check Outages And Stay Safe
AES Indiana and Duke Energy both maintain live outage maps and reporting tools so customers can track status updates and estimated restoration times. AES also posts storm updates to its social channels. The utility lists an outage reporting line at 317-261-8111, while Duke Energy directs customers to its online outage portal and automated phone line at 1-800-343-3525. Officials reminded residents to avoid any downed wires, treat them as live, and report hazards to emergency services and their utility.
What To Expect Next
Forecasters expected the storms to move out by Tuesday morning, with sunshine returning and highs near the mid-80s, according to the National Weather Service. Utilities said restoration timelines depend on the extent of the damage and crew availability, and urged customers who rely on medical-dependent equipment to contact their provider for guidance. Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on official outage maps and local advisories for the latest updates.
