Northern Indiana utility crews helping out with East Coast storm

Thursday morning, Indiana Michigan Power crews rolled out of the area on their way to Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. The company is sending about 135 workers — including 80 linemen, 40 damage assessors and other support staff and supervisors — to provide assistance.

"Remember that ice storm that hit a few weeks ago? Crews from those areas came up to help us for that one," said Michael Bianski, an I&M spokesman.

He explained that when assistance calls like this one come in, workers are quick to volunteer to go.

"They are really passionate about getting stuff cleaned up and getting the power back on as soon as possible."

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. also sent 20 contracted electric operations workers to West Virginia in advance of the storm.

"We'll continue to monitor the storms based on needs of the eastern states," said Dana Berkes, a spokesperson for the utility.