EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Significant winter weather in CenterPoint Energy’s southwestern Indiana service area has caused widespread electric outages due to heavy ice and snow.

According to a press release, outages have increased steadily through Sunday evening, with approximately 5,000 customers without power at 5:30 p.m. to approximately 37,700 as of 9:30 p.m.

The increase in outages is largely due to ice accumulation and falling tree limbs impacting power lines.

Officials say crews have been working to assess damage and restore power as quickly and as safely as possible and have restored approximately 4,300 customers.

CenterPoint has deployed internal, contractor and mutual aid resources to assist with power restoration efforts.

Additional crews arrived Sunday morning and early afternoon and received onboarding and training to be deployed as soon as needed.

In restoring power, the company says they are prioritizing facilities vital to safety, health and welfare, such as hospitals, water treatment plants and public service facilities.

After addressing these critical needs, crews will focus on repairs that restore power to the largest number of customers first, continuing until all customers have power restored.

CenterPoint’s Vice President, Indiana Electric Shane Bradford released the following statement:

“Conditions across southwestern Indiana have been challenging due to ice accumulation and freezing rain. Our crews are working safely and making steady restoration progress, but the weather is creating recurring outages in some areas shortly after power is restored, as additional tree limbs and ice impact power lines. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers as we work to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. As hazardous conditions continue, crews are prioritizing safety as weather continues to impact our service area.”

CenterPoint’s natural gas system is operating as normal, and crews remain prepared to respond to any potential issues that may arise during the ongoing winter weather.

Click here to see the CenterPoint outage map.

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One person died in a house fire on Sunday morning in LaPorte County, Indiana, authorities said.

According to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, at around 7:06 a.m., deputies responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of South Longshore Drive near Fish Lake. Deputies approached the house, where “excessive smoke prevented them from safely entering to search for any occupants inside.”

Once the fire had been extinguished, first responders entered the residence and found one person who had died. The resident was identified as 64-year-old Ronald Conrad.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation on Sunday.

Quick thoughts on a 77-71 win against Penn State at the Palestra:

How it happened

It was a sharp start on both ends for Indiana on Sunday afternoon at the Palestra. The Hoosiers took care of the ball, hit the offensive boards and hit a couple of early perimeter shots to build an early 17-14 advantage. But as IU went to its bench, the offense waned, the turnovers increased and the Hoosiers managed just 12 points over the final 12:14 of the half. Fortunately, Penn State struggled, too. The Nittany Lions didn’t make a 3-pointer in the first half, shot just three free throws and didn’t make a field goal over the final 6:29 of the opening 20 minutes. With Malik Reneau unavailable due to injury, Oumar Ballo was the focal point of the Hosier offense and was sometimes unstoppable. Ballo had 14 points and nine rebounds in 16 first-half minutes.

Mackenzie Mgbako scored eight points in less than a minute to start the second half, forcing Penn State to take an early timeout with the Hoosiers leading 37-29. By the under-16 media timeout, Indiana’s lead was 44-33 after the Hoosiers made three 3-pointers before the timeout. After Penn State cut the lead to eight at 47-39, Indiana went on an 11-4 run to make it a 58-43 advantage with 11:34 remaining. The Hoosiers stretched the lead to 16 on a Trey Galloway 3-pointer with 10:20 left. But Penn State scored the next six points to pull within 10 at 61-51 at the 9:05 mark. Mgbako’s third 3-pointer of the second half stretched the lead to 11 with 7:39 remaining, but Oumar Ballo picked up his fourth foul on the next possession and had to go to the bench.

After Penn State cut the lead to four at 65-61 on a Nick Kern Jr. 3-pointer, Indiana brought Ballo back in and the big man converted a 3-point play to make it 68-61 with 5:25 remaining. By the final media timeout, Indiana’s lead was 69-63. Penn State had a chance to cut it to one possession with under 2:15 left, but Galloway got a key steal and took the team’s last timeout with the Hoosiers leading 73-68 with 2:04 to go. Out of the timeout, IU turned it over, Penn State hit a 3-pointer to make it 73-71 and Rice didn’t get the ball past halfcourt, giving Penn State the ball with 1:32 left. Zach Hicks missed a 3-pointer that would have given the Nittany Lions the lead and on the ensuing possession, Mgbako was fouled with 42.7 seconds left. Mgbako made both free throws to make it 75-71, Hicks missed a 3-pointer on Penn State’s next possession and Rice made two free throws to seal the win for Indiana.

Standout performers

Ballo led Indiana with 25 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots in 32 minutes. Mgbako finished with 20 points in 31 minutes. Luke Goode made three 3-pointers and finished with 12 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes. And Rice had nine points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes.

Statistics that stand out

Indiana went 9-for-23 on 3s (39.1 percent) and 16-for-22 from the free throw line (72.7 percent). The Hoosiers turned it over just 14 times. Penn State opponents were averaging 17 per game entering the contest.

Final IU individual statistics

Final tempo-free statistics

Assembly Call postgame show

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

Filed to: Penn State Nittany Lions