Ameren Illinois Utilities Crews Working to Restore Power Caused by Severe Thunderstorms
June 03 2008 - 5:25PM
PR Newswire (US)
Customers Warned to Stay Clear of Downed Wires, Exercise Electric,
Natural Gas Caution in the Event of Flooding PEORIA, SPRINGFIELD
and DECATUR, Ill., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Locally severe
thunderstorms and high winds have resulted in power outages in
portions of the Ameren Illinois Utilities service territory with
the threat of more severe weather this afternoon and evening. About
9,900 customers remained without power at 3:30 p.m. today. The
areas hardest hit include Macon, Menard, Cass, Sangamon, McDonough,
Edgar and other portions of Central Illinois. The severe storms
toppled utility polls in some areas, resulting in temporary
closings of Ill. Rte. 29 north of Greenview and U.S. Rte. 67 at
Industry. The Ameren Illinois Utilities have mobilized field crews
to restore service as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the
Ameren Illinois Utilities are reminding customers that safety is
the first and foremost concern. The most important safety rule is
to stay clear of downed power lines and always call your Ameren
Illinois Utility or '911' if you see downed lines. Assume all
downed power lines are energized. Stay inside, especially at night
because you may walk into an energized power line. Stay clear of
brush, shrubs and downed trees that may hide downed lines. The
measures customers should take to prepare for a power outage or
loss of natural gas service are similar to those needed to prepare
for any emergency situation. The Ameren Illinois Utilities offer
these tips: -- If your electric service is interrupted, be sure to
unplug or protect sensitive computer and electronic equipment with
a high-quality surge protector. -- If your power goes out, 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
Illinois Utilities at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
-- and always call as soon as possible to report a downed line or
natural gas odor! The Ameren Illinois Utilities numbers are
888-672-5252 (AmerenCILCO), 888-789-2477 (AmerenCIPS) and
800-755-7000 (AmerenIP). A full description of the Ameren Illinois
Utilities' restoration process and tips on how customers can
prepare for service disruptions is available on the Ameren Web site
at http://www.ameren.com/ (select "Outage Information" from the
left-hand menu, select Ameren Illinois Outage Information and then
select "Ameren's Storm Response" from the left-hand menu).
Customers can learn more about power outage situations by visiting
selecting "Outage Information" and then such menu options as the
"Outage Map" and "My Electric Outage." Flood Threat In addition to
downed wires, the heavy rains have raised the possibility of
localized flooding in many portions of the Ameren Illinois Service
territory. As a result, residents must be aware of the electrical
hazards and natural gas safety issues that can occur during floods,
according to the Ameren Illinois Utilities. When water comes into
contact with energized electrical wiring, appliances and other
devices, it creates a serious threat of serious injury and
electrocution. The Ameren Illinois Utilities offer these key
electric safety tips: -- Never enter a flooded basement or other
flooded area where water may be in contact with electrical wiring,
appliances and other devices. -- Under no circumstances should you
attempt to turn off power at the main electrical panel box if you
must stand in water or even on a wet floor to do so. --
Furthermore, never operate electrical appliances or devices or
touch electrical switches, outlets or cords if you are standing in
water or are on a wet surface, or if you are wet. -- Keep all
electric-powered tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from
water and wet surfaces. Do not use electric tools and equipment
outdoors if the ground is wet. Natural gas safety tips: -- If you
detect a strong odor of natural gas, immediately leave your home or
business and call your Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCILCO --
1-888-672-5252; AmerenCIPS -- 1-888-789-2477; AmerenIP --
1-800-755-5000). Do not turn lights on or off, operate any
electrical device, use a phone or light a match inside or near the
building. -- If you detect a faint odor of natural gas, attempt to
follow the odor to its source. It may be an extinguished pilot
light or a partially turned on burner valve. These are problems you
can safely and easily fix. In the event of flooding, the Ameren
Illinois Utilities will turn off electrical power to a home or
business at the request of a customer. Customers should contact
their Ameren Illinois Utilities to have the power turned off when
flood waters are likely to reach the main electrical panel box. The
Ameren Illinois Utilities also will turn power off at the request
of local authorities. If flood waters reach the controls of a
natural gas furnace, water heater or other appliance (generally,
the controls are located at the bottom the appliance), contact your
Ameren Illinois Utilities to have your natural gas service turned
off. The Ameren Illinois Utilities also will turn off natural gas
service at the request of local authorities. The Ameren Illinois
Utilities recommend following these tips after a flood: -- If an
electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a
professional electrician or appliance repair person check it first.
Often, appliances must be repaired or replaced. -- If you have any
doubts about the safety of your home or business electrical system,
have it inspected by a professional electrician. -- Call in a
professional service person to inspect a furnace, water heater and
any other natural gas appliance that was entirely or partially
submerged. -- If your electrical or natural gas service was turned
off, contact your Ameren Illinois Utilities to have it turned on
after you have made certain your electrical and natural gas systems
are safe to use. Never attempt to turn services on yourself.
Additional safety information is available on the Ameren Web site
(http://www.ameren.com/). The Ameren Illinois Utilities serve 1.2
million electric and more than 840,000 natural gas customers in a
43,700-square-mile area of Illinois. NOTE TO EDITORS and NEWS
DIRECTORS: Ameren offers these tips for your safety and for coping
with power outages (also available on http://www.ameren.com)/ Check
on the elderly. If you know an elderly person in your neighborhood
who is without power, check on that person's health. Watch out for
downed wires. If you see a fallen or sagging wire, assume that it
is still energized and dangerous. Electric power lines can carry
power even after being knocked to the ground. Stay away and warn
others to do the same. Pull some plugs. Turn off or disconnect the
refrigerator, freezer, television, air conditioner and other major
appliances that would go on automatically when the power is
restored. This precaution will avoid overloading a circuit when
power comes back on -- and the chance of a second interruption.
After power is restored, turn them on one at a time. Flip a switch.
Turn one or two light switches on so you will know when your
service is restored. There are also some steps you can take during
and after a storm to ensure the safety of your family, home and
pets. Keep your food cold. Resist the urge to peek in on the
refrigerator and freezer. Food will stay cold or frozen longer if
the appliance stays closed. -- Use caution with your food. Check
with your local health department and remember the rule, "When in
doubt, throw it out!" The University of Illinois Extension Service
says these foods should be discarded after four hours without
power: - Raw or cooked meat, poultry and seafood - Milk, cream,
yogurt and soft cheeses - Cooked pasta and pasta salads - Custard,
chiffon and cheese pies - Fresh eggs and egg substitutes -
Meat-topped pizza and lunch meats - Casseroles, soups and stews -
Mayonnaise and tartar sauce - Cookie dough These foods should be
safe for a few days without power: - Butter and margarine - Fresh
fruits and vegetables - Opened jars of salad dressing, jelly,
relish, taco sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup and olives -
Hard and processed cheeses DATASOURCE: Ameren Illinois Utilities
CONTACT: Leigh Morris of Ameren Illinois Utilities, +1-217-535-5228
Web site: http://www.ameren.com/
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