INDIANA — With the official arrival of summer across South-Central Indiana, utility officials are urging residents to prepare for the seasonal uptick in severe weather while highlighting a massive wave of local community development investments.
Duke Energy issued a regional advisory encouraging Hoosiers to establish emergency protocols ahead of potential summer storms.
“Summer has arrived in South Central Indiana, and with it comes an increased chance of severe weather,” Liz Irwin, Government & Community Relations Manager for Duke Energy, stated. “I encourage you to have a plan for yourself and your loved ones should you experience a power disruption.”
The utility company recommends that families assemble emergency kits containing flashlights, fresh batteries, first-aid supplies, and non-perishable food, noting that additional storm-readiness resources and real-time outage maps can be accessed directly on the Duke Energy website.
Beyond storm preparation, Duke Energy released its comprehensive second-quarter regional impact report, detailing several major grassroots initiatives, environmental projects, and safety grants supported throughout Crawford, Orange, and Lawrence counties.
Emergency Preparedness Boosted Across Three Counties
In direct alignment with its summer safety push, the Duke Energy Foundation has distributed targeted Emergency Management Agency (EMA) grants to enhance regional crisis response:
- Crawford County: Funds are being utilized to completely upgrade weather monitoring equipment housed inside the county’s primary emergency operations center.
- Lawrence County: Grant money is being used to purchase weather radios for free public distribution, with emergency officials prioritizing senior citizens and vulnerable households.
- Orange County: Funding has been secured to purchase advanced, mobile communications equipment that can be deployed to remote areas during a localized blackout or disaster.
Lawrence County: STEM Camps, Intersection Safety, and Big Trucks
In Lawrence County, Duke Energy’s focus was heavily targeted on youth education and community safety.
At Lincoln Elementary School, a grant from the Duke Energy Foundation provided essential scholarships for Camp Invention’s Summer STEM Camp. The funding allowed approximately 100 K-6 students to attend the week-long camp free of charge, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and hands-on inventing.
Lawrence County Q2 Highlights:
• Camp Invention: Sponsored STEM scholarships for ~100 local students
• Springville Safety: Funded radar speed signs in a local school zone
• Touch-a-Truck: Bedford operations crew hosted a career day for youth
Local infrastructure also received a boost in the Springville community, where a local impact grant funded safety upgrades at a critical intersection, adding digital radar speed signs to actively slow down traffic passing through a school zone. Additionally, crew members from the Bedford operations center brought heavy utility equipment to the Touch-a-Truck event hosted by the city of Bedford and the Bedford Public Library, giving local kids a firsthand look at utility careers.
Orange County: Reforestation and Cultural Celebrations
Environmental restoration and agricultural access took center stage in Orange County. Duke Energy volunteers rolled up their sleeves to join forces with Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, planting several hundred trees within the Patoka River Wildlife Refuge to restore native habitats.
In Orleans, Duke Energy stepped up as a primary sponsor for the Orange County Home Grown Farmers Market. The utility’s funding specifically supports the market’s SNAP benefits matching program, doubling the purchasing power of low-income families seeking fresh, local produce on Saturdays through October.
The company also sponsored the annual Orleans Dogwood Festival, which brought thousands of visitors and a measurable economic boost to the area through its classic car shows, parades, and local vendor markets.
Crawford County: Childcare Relief and Volunteer Honors
Recognizing the economic strains facing rural families, the Duke Energy Foundation directed critical funding to the Boys and Girls Club of Crawford County. The investment directly funds childcare vouchers, lowering or eliminating the cost of daycare for families experiencing financial hardships, so parents can remain in the workforce.
Finally, Government and Community Relations Manager Liz Irwin led the awards presentation at the Doris June Snider Kaiser Volunteer Recognition and Reception. Hosted by the Community Foundation of Crawford County and sponsored by Duke Energy, the event honored local civic leaders while showcasing recent municipal projects made possible through ongoing Duke Energy corporate backing.
