On Sept 17, 2018, our city lost Celia Barquin Arozamena. An accomplished ISU student athlete, Celia was kind, compassionate & beautiful. She was killed in a senseless act of violence.
We honor Celia's memory this week w/yellow lights along US 30 - her favorite color. 💛🏌️♀️💛
#cba
Starting to energize some residential customers. It will go slowly - we don’t want to overextend.
So far. So good.
We have all crews out, and we are working hard. Thanks for the support. We truly appreciate it! 🔌😃🔌
We are up to 4 substations with power. Now we have to test the ability of the substations to handle the load.
We have the spark of electricity, but no electricity flowing quite yet. Thanks for your patience and support!
We’re close.
💡 🔌 💡 😃
Good morning, Ames!
It’s a new morning. The sun is up, and we are working to clean the streets, restore power, and assess the damage. Thanks for hanging in there.
It’s a lot take in. Without coffee. ☕️
More updates to come. Stay safe.
Power outage update: A raccoon got into a transformer at Ames Power Plant substation and opened up a number of circuits.
About 1,000 customers out. Crews are on site and closing things back. Power should be restored within the hour. Sadly, the raccoon is no longer with us. 🦝
In addition to our Ames crews, whom we ❤️ dearly, we have new friends who have jumped in to assist during this disaster.
We are still working on remaining 62 outages. Knocking them out one by one!
Thank you to Winterset, Cedar Falls, Maquoketa, Algona, Eldridge & many more!
A little bit of good news!
We have power to a substation pushing out some electricity that is helping power up some traffic lights. Also, this power can be used to help energize the Ames Power Plant.
This is a small, but positive step, towards getting customers back. 💡💡🔌💡
We’re excited to have 25% of our customers back, but we've reached capacity. Those who don't have power now, likely won't get it back tonight.
We will continue powering up on Tuesday. Additionally, we will have information about tree debris and limb collection in the morning.
Power out?
Neighborhoods are prioritized by most customers restored in the fastest time. If you have a lot of damage & overhead lines, it will take longer. The goal is to get majority of customers back before dark today.
For questions, call the City hotline at 515-239-5670
There is a wide area power outage in Ames. All electric crews are responding to attempt to reroute power from other sources and get customers back online. More information to come as we assess the options. Thanks for your patience!
We’ve restored 80% of Ames Electric customers. If your power is still out, please call our outage system at 515.239.5240 with your address.
We will use this information so crews can identify areas to concentrate their efforts.
Thank you all for your patience. 👍🏽 🔌
Crews keep working! We are down to less than 500 residences without power. We’re excited to have so many back, but we haven’t slowed down.
The remaining outages are tough ones, but we’re knocking them out. Thanks for your patience.
🏈Are you ready for some football? ISU kicks off its season Sept 4 vs UNI.
• Traffic jams are likely. Do NOT take 13th St; it’s under construction between Grand & Duff.
• Read & BELIEVE parking signs, not how other vehicles have parked. Parking fines double on home game days.
🏈“O we will fight, fight, fight for Iowa State”… but only figuratively & only on the football field.😁The Big Game is here! Let’s show our great Cyclone and Ames hospitality. Follow the Golden Rule, drive safely, park legally & show we are the Pride of Iowa!!
#LetsGoCyclones
Ames residents, keep your eyes to the skies for storms tonight. Lightening is always a risk & could interrupt service for those of you w/electricity. We anticipate that interruption would be brief.
Nothing like a storm on top of a storm on top of a pandemic. Hang in there, Ames.
Bad news: We have an electric outage affecting roughly 500 customers this afternoon. It appears to be a fuse malfunction on Beach Ave. Ames Electric Services crews are assessing and should have power restored shortly.
Sad news: We have one less squirrel in Ames today. 🐿
If you don’t get power restored by this evening, it will be another night without electricity.
We know that’s a huge inconvenience, and that’s why we are working quickly and safely as possible. We want you back! (2/2)
💡💡Crews are working hard to restore power.
Due to the community-wide electric outage, the Ames Water Plant is requesting you limit your water use. 💧💧
💡💡💧💧We need electricity to pump water, so let's cut back as much as we can right now! 💧💧💡💡
Some good news for south of 13th Street and east of Grand Avenue residents. We just re-energized 250 customers!
Welcome back to the world of electricity. We missed you!
The City will be opening a large public site for free tree disposal. The site is being prepped & will likely open Wednesday.
Additionally, the City will provide curbside removal for debris placed between the sidewalk and curb. Details and schedule will be released as available.
We are reaching 72 hours without power for many of you. We are working for you “20 percenters.” You are our focus.
Charge your mobile devices, tablets or lap tops at:
Furman Aquatic Center, 1635 13th St.
Electric Services Admin Bldg, 502 Carroll
Sawyer School, 4316 Ontario St.
How did Ames get lineworkers after the storm? Ames is part of Iowa Assoc. of Municipal Utilities, which organizes mutual aid.
Thanks to crews from Glidden, Lehigh, Webster City, Algona, Cedar Falls, Denison, Eldridge, Maquoketa, Winterset & Zoske Electrical!💡⚡️🔌
@IAMUTweets
Ames Electric Services customer update. As of 1pm, we are down to 1,432 customer without power.
We’re glad we’ve got more residents with electricity, but we are focused on bringing those remaining 1,432 back.
Of all the cities in the United States, Ames made the list of 2019 Top 100 Best Places to Live. Nice recognition for what we already know - Ames is pretty great!
#SmartChoice
#AlwaysAmes
#Lifeisgood
It’s official!! At tonight’s RAGBRAI Announce Party in Des Moines we learned Ames will be a host city for RAGBRAI this July! It’s been 10 years. Welcome back, bikers!
#SmartChoice
All of Ames is out of power. Ames Electric Services crews are out checking the lines. This could be awhile, folks! Plan for hours.
Stay away from downed power lines. Watch for tree limbs. Watch traffic lights - many are out. Treat those as a 4-way stop.
#staysafe
All of Ames is out of power. Ames Electric Services crews checking lines. This could be awhile, folks! Plan for hours.
Treat dark traffic signals as a four way stop. Do not drive over or near any downed power lines. Stay away from all power lines.
#staysafe
#powerlines
💙💛 The Ames City Council recently requested the lighting along US 30 and at Bandshell Park reflect the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine as a show of support and solidarity for the Ukrainian people. 💙💛
#WeStandWithUkriane
#peace
#Ukraine
#nowar
Good news: 13th and Grand intersection is open and energized.
Electric crews are moving north!
More good news: 3 tree removal crews are heading west of University Blvd to clear way for electric crews.
Progress. Slow, but steady.
WooHoo! Ames ranks among the top 25 most livable college towns nationwide! In a new study, SmartAsset crunched the numbers to find the most livable college towns in America. The full report, including the methodology and key findings, can be found here: .
As crews continue to work, there are about 2,000 homes w/o power right now.
We expect to get dozens back tonight depending on repairs. We don’t know for sure, but it’s possible Teagarden area, chunks between 9th to 30th Street, and some near Ontario will have lights today.
Let’s try this again.
We have re-energized 1,100 Ames residents (& counting), but there’s a lot more work to do.
Crews from other cities are working with us & we sent our Public Works crews west of University Blvd to start clearing trees. Thanks for your patience!
A big thank you to Ames citizens for their incredible patience and kindness as our community reacted to the derecho that came through on Aug. 10.
While we had tremendous tree and electric system damage, we had no fatalities. Now, we focus on recovery.
There's a lot of snow and it isn't done yet. We expect another 1-2". PW crews have been out all night and road conditions vary greatly. There are still lots of residential streets to get to and as it continues to snow we will need to keep making passes. 1/
🏈🌴As many ISU fans head to Orlando for the Cheez-It Bowl: travel safely, have a great time, and cheer the Cyclones on to victory!
#CheezItBowl2021
#GoCyclones
As IA’s COVID-19 positivity rate spikes & the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients reaches record levels, we turn to Dr. Dan Fulton. In this video, he explains the troubling trend we are facing & how we can all help reverse it.
Ames Electric crews checking Stange Road substation for equipment concerns before repowering. This substation serves west & north Ames. They will be working as quickly as possible to safely repower. Thanks for your patience, folks! ☀️🔌💡👍
#crewsatwork
#poweroutage
#electricity
Electric crews continue to restore power & we’ve received mutual aid to assist.
Crews have prioritized the work by restoring most customers in the fastest time. The most difficult reconnections will be last. The goal is to get majority of customers back before dark today. (1/1)
Our attempts to estimate when power will be restored have been wrong. There is extensive damage. So, for your planning purposes, be aware some neighborhoods may not have electricity for a week.
Electric crews are working in highlighted area first.
Stay vigilant. Physically distance at least six feet from others. Wear a face covering. Wash your hands. Stay home if you're ill.
Many factors you can't control, but these ones you can. Help lessen the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Be safe.
#CyclonesCare
#Maskup
In an effort to increase participation on Election Day, the Transit Agency Board of Directors voted recently to make CyRide fare free on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
For more information about CyRide, including routes and fares, go to
🎉The final connection of Grand Avenue between S. 16th & S. 5th St is opening soon! A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 2pm Friday, Oct. 29. Gather at S. Grand Ave & S. 5th St intersection. The road will open for traffic immediately after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
There was so much ice in the storm yesterday and overnight we've actually had to use plows to pile it up. Road conditions vary greatly across town and Public Works crews are continuing to make progress on cleaning up. 1/2
Here’s some good news for your Monday. The new restrooms are open at Brookside Park!
The 1930s building was remodeled to create four gender-neutral restrooms, all handicapped accessible, and two with baby changing stations. New skylights let sun in during the day.
🏈🚗Park free on game day!
Traffic is going to be crazy & parking even worse on game day. Check out the map for FREE parking locations on weekends.
If you park illegally in designated neighborhoods, fines are DOUBLED from 6am-midnight on home football games days.
#freeparking
Based on today's assessment of damage, the remaining repairs are complicated and time-consuming. We have brought in five outside electric crews to supplement our Ames Electric Services crews.
Bringing everyone back on will take some time, but we're working on it!
Power out? Please turn off your A/C & other items that pull electricity. When neighborhoods are re-energized, the enormous electricity demand is blowing fuses. Please slowly increase electric use.
Also, pls call our automated outage system at 515.239.5240 w/your address. 💡🏠💡
Big shout out to the
@iowadot
for their assistance with debris removal in Ames. Check the map below for progress. The map will be updated daily. Please move vehicles from the street to help crews expedite the removal process.
Train derailment just west of Dayton. Duff, Kellogg, Clark & Hazel crossings closed. Use Grand, Sixth or Stange as alternates. More information will be provided as available.
The snow ordinance is going into effect shortly! Make sure to move vehicles!
Crews have been out since before 9 AM. Snow is beginning to accumulate across town. Conditions will get worse this afternoon and evening as the storm intensifies. Plan ahead!
Good morning, Ames!
While many of you have power, there are others still out.
If you are out of power, call to report your outage at 515.239.5240.
We are working hard to get everyone back on. 💡🔌
🌞Thank goodness for a sunny day today – much better than Aug. 10 in the past.
🌬️8/10/2020: derecho swept through Iowa leaving a path of destruction & thousands without power for many days.
🌧️8/10/2010: Skunk River & Ioway Creek overflowed, with widespread flooding in Ames.
A big shout out to Ames Fire for their assistance in rescuing this pet cockatoo from a tree along Eisenhower Ave this evening.
Glad our feathered friend could be reunited with family. And yes, everyone clapped when the bird made it down safely! 👏👏
#ToTheRescue
#AmesFire
AHS Boys Swim Team recognized at City Council meeting by Ames Mayor John Haila for being named 2018 Boys State Champions. Congratulations to Coach Dan Flannery & the team. You’ve made your community very proud.
@ACSD_News
#SmartChoice
#AmesHighAimsHigh
#StateChamps
Due to the community-wide power outage, the Ames Water Plant is requesting you limit your water use.
💧💧💧💧We need electricity to pump water, so let's cut back as much as we can right now! 💧💧💧💧
If you are w/o electric, we are trying to get you back. Damage assessment is grim. This will not be a quick fix.
We are working in the highlighted area. Other parts of town are important, too. We will get there.
We are trying to respond when possible to your questions about the outage in our posts. Individual response may not happen.
Please be aware that - like many of you - we are having some internet connectivity glitches, too.
Electric crews are focused east of Grand Ave and north of 13th St. and are moving north. The damage is extensive and difficult.
As Electric crews focus on restoring power in the highlighted area, Public Works crews are clearing tree debris in other areas.
🖌️Time for a touch-up! Every summer, Ames Public Works traffic crews repaint lane lines, curbs, crosswalks, stop bars & symbols, and parking lot lines to counter the wear & tear road surfaces take. The inclusive crosswalks at Fifth & Douglas are currently getting their refresh.🖌️
Good afternoon & Happy 4th. Electric crews responding to large outage (2,000 customers) affecting various parts of Ames.
No other information right now, pls call your outage to the automated reporting system - even if your neighbor has called.
Power Outage Number: 515.239.5240
🚧🌈Welch & Chamberlain will close 7am Thursday, July 21, to 8am Friday, July 22, to add inclusive crosswalks to the intersection.
Similar to Fifth & Douglas, the new crosswalk will provide a visual way of demonstrating the City’s efforts to make all people feel welcome in Ames.
While we don’t want to be overly optimistic, sometime this afternoon is possible for the section of Ridgewood Avenue between 9th and 13th.
Fingers crossed 🤞
Ames Electric crews responding to morning power outage affecting about 2,000 customers. Mortensen Road substation tripped offline. Looking to repair issue and reroute power.
#poweroutage
#patienceplease
🚲Welcome to Ames! The first group of riders have made it to the "finish" line of the Carroll-to-Ames leg of
#RAGBRAI
50, taking a loop around Jack Trice Stadium & crossing over the East Gateway Pedestrian Bridge. Now for the fun! Come to Downtown Ames for food & entertainment!
Volunteers are helping assemble picnic tables at the new Sunset Ridge Park on Wilder Avenue in west Ames.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5pm on Sunday to celebrate. Everyone is welcome.
Ames Municipal Cemetery is so grateful for citizens who picked up downed branches and pulled debris to the roadsides.
These helpful volunteers allowed us to provide funeral services w/o taking staff away from recovery work.
So many kind-hearted people out there! ❤️ ❤️