AmerenUE Prepares for Predicted Winter Weather Watch, Offers Tips to Help Customers During Storms
February 21 2008 - 12:29PM
PR Newswire (US)
ST. LOUIS, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- AmerenUE officials say they are
preparing for the predicted ice storm by placing crews on alert.
Yesterday the company asked crews to come prepared today for
restoration duty. The company has also activated its emergency
operations center in anticipation of forecasted icy weather. The
center's staff coordinates resources, brings in crews from
contractors and other utility companies and provides logistical
support to ensure that crews have lodging, food and fuel. The
center also supports communications needs with emergency management
organizations and others. The center is at AmerenUE's downtown St.
Louis headquarters building at 1901 Chouteau. As part of its
preparatory planning, AmerenUE is also readying equipment and
communications systems with the forecasted approach of yet another
major winter storm. The company has fully equipped its storm
trailers, strategically locating one of them in Southeast Missouri,
where the storm is predicted to be heading. These trailers help the
company get supplies to crews where they are working and to
facilitate communications. "During severe storms, AmerenUE's first
priority is to correct potentially life-threatening situations,
such as downed power lines or hospitals without power," says Ron
Zdellar, vice president, Missouri Energy Delivery. "We then
implement carefully designed power restoration plans focused on
getting power back on for the greatest number of people in the
shortest amount of time." He adds that the safety of the public and
the crews working to restore power is the most critical priority.
In restoring electricity, crews begin with main lines -- those that
serve thousands of people. Then they move to lines that can affect
hundreds; secondary lines that affect dozens; and finally to
service lines at individual homes. Throughout the restoration
process, Ameren companies maintain contact with state and local
emergency management agencies and designated company staff who
provide ongoing service restoration updates to public officials,
the news media and customers. Ameren companies also have a system
for alerting and mobilizing additional line and service crews from
utilities owned by Ameren and from utility companies close enough
to AmerenUE service territory but in areas not affected by the
storm -- calling on them for assistance. The company will be
distributing releases as soon as the full impact of the storm is
known. The latest news releases about the storm restoration and
outage information are being posted on the Ameren Web site
(http://www.ameren.com/). For a full description of AmerenUE's
restoration process and tips on how individuals can prepare for
service disruptions, check out the storm site on that Web site. The
measures you should take to prepare for a power outage or loss of
natural gas service are similar to those you should take to prepare
for any emergency situation. Here are some tips on dealing with
winter storms: -- At all times, stay clear of downed power lines
and always call if you see downed lines. Don't walk in standing
water, and don't venture out in the dark because you won't be able
to see a power line that could still be energized and dangerous. --
Because most major outages are caused by bad weather, start by
developing shelter plans for severe storm and tornado conditions.
-- If any member of your family has a medical condition, plan and
make arrangements to have that person's special needs met in the
event electricity is not available for an extended period of time
during a storm. -- Then, assemble a "storm kit" and store it in a
secure, centrally located part of your house. Make sure all family
members know where to find that kit. It should contain: - Emergency
telephone numbers; flashlights and fresh batteries (avoid using
candles, lanterns or oil lamps due to the fire risk); extra garage
and house keys so that you aren't locked out of your home or garage
by lack of energy flowing to electrically powered automated
systems; a battery-powered radio; a battery-powered or wind-up
alarm clock; a supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per
day); non-perishable foods that don't require heating; blankets,
bedding or sleeping bags; a first-aid kit and medications; a
hand-operated can opener; special items for infants or family
members with special needs; hand tools, such as a screwdriver,
scissors and duct tape; household items like plastic utensils,
paper plates, waterproof matches and household bleach;
identification and copies of important family documents. -- If your
electric service is interrupted, be sure to unplug or protect
sensitive computer and electronic equipment with a high-quality
surge protector. -- Then, check first with a neighbor to see if you
are the only one without power. If you are the only one without
service, check your panel box for a tripped circuit breaker or
blown fuse. If any breakers are in the "off" position or if a fuse
is blown, you should investigate the problem. If you are still
without power, or if others in your neighborhood are experiencing a
power outage, call your Ameren company, 24 hours a day, seven days
a week -- and always call as soon as possible to report a downed
line or natural gas odor! -- Because Ameren companies have
customers on almost every major line who need electricity to
operate life-support equipment, the companies can't offer
assurances that these customers will get their service restored any
faster. If you have such equipment, you need to invest in private
back-up power systems and develop alternative care plans to ensure
safety and security. You should also register with Ameren's Medical
Equipment Registry to make it easier for us to notify you in the
event of a planned maintenance outage. Again, for more on this
registry or for much more information on what to do during a storm,
visit http://www.ameren.com/. With assets of nearly $21 billion,
Ameren through its subsidiaries, serves 2.4 million electric and
nearly one million natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile
area of Illinois and Missouri. DATASOURCE: AmerenUE CONTACT: Susan
Gallagher, +1-314-554-2175, or Tim Fox, +1-314-554-3120, or Mike
Cleary, +1-573-681-7137, all for AmerenUE Web site:
http://www.ameren.com/
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