1,000 Ameren Illinois Utilities Workers Continue Service Restoration Effort Following Second Round of Damaging Storms
August 06 2008 - 12:10PM
PR Newswire (US)
PEORIA, Ill., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ameren Illinois Utilities
field crews are working 16-hour shifts to provide around the clock
coverage in order to restore electrical service to thousands of
customers in the wake of yet another round of severe summer
thunderstorms that pounded southwestern Illinois Tuesday evening.
Approximately 600 linemen, 200 tree trimmers and 200 support
personnel have been assigned to the storm restoration effort. The
service recovery effort is being directed by the Ameren Illinois
Utilities Emergency Operations Center. Outages first peaked at
about 28,000 Tuesday morning, but were reduced to about 8,000 by
evening. Then the next round of storms pushed outages back up to a
total of about 33,000 Tuesday night. As of 9:00 a.m. today, the
number of outages had been reduced to about 9,000. It is estimated
that most customers will have their service restored this afternoon
and early evening. However, isolated outages may persist until
Thursday. In addition, additional severe weather may result in
additional outages or hamper ongoing restoration work. In addition,
the Ameren Illinois Utilities are prepared for the possibility of
severe weather that has been forecasted for southern Illinois this
afternoon. Residents in the storm impacted areas are urged to be
aware of the possibility of downed electrical wires. People should
stay away from brush and downed trees which may hide downed wires,
and warn others to do the same. Anyone who sees a downed wire
should immediately report it by calling their Ameren Illinois
Utility (AmerenCILCO - 1-888-672-5252; AmerenCIPS - 1-888-789-2477;
AmerenIP - 1-800-755-5000). 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. Generator Safety Anyone using
a portable generator should follow strict safety requirements to
prevent injury or death both to themselves and to the utility field
crews attempting to restore power. Customers planning to install a
temporary generator must first open the main breaker or remove the
main fuses before connecting the generator to the electrical
systems. Failure to do this could seriously injure utility crews
working on outside power lines, and/or it could cause damage to a
neighbor's property or the customer's own equipment. Customers
should never use a portable generator indoors, including in a home,
garage, basement, shed or partially-enclosed area -- even with
ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not
prevent the carbon monoxide exhaust from building up in the home.
Only use a portable generator outdoors in a dry area, away from
doors, windows and vents. Customers should also exercise extreme
caution when handling fuel for portable generators, especially when
re-fueling hot generators. Information regarding permanently
installed generators, a full description of the Ameren Illinois
Utilities' power restoration process, along with advice on how
customers can cope with outages is available under "Storm Center"
on the Ameren Web site: 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, +1-217-535-5228, or Neal Johnson, +1-309-677-5284,
both for Ameren Illinois Utilities Web site: http://www.ameren.com/
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