Ameren Illinois Utilities Activate Emergency Operations Center In Wake of Early Morning Storms; Storm Trailer Sent to Marion; Re
September 14 2008 - 5:19PM
PR Newswire (US)
PEORIA, Ill., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ameren
Illinois Utilities have activated their Emergency Operations Center
(EOC) to coordinate service restoration work in the wake of today's
storms caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ike that left more than
49,000 customers without electrical service. (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080914/AQSU003) Since many
outside electrical contractors have previously sent their crews to
the Gulf Coast to help restore power in those areas impacted by
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the Ameren Illinois Utilities have
mobilized their own crews from throughout their service territory.
In some cases, these crews must travel more than 300 miles to reach
the hardest hit areas in Southern Illinois. Also, the Ameren
Illinois Utilities have sent one of their storm trailers to Marion
to serve the Southern Illinois area that was hardest hit by the
storm. The storm trailer is a mobile storeroom with the supplies
line crews need to restore service. A storm trailer carries
sufficient supplies to meet the needs of up to 250 linemen. "Our
top priority in this storm restoration effort is the safety of our
customers, our coworkers and our contractors," said John Barud,
manager of Ameren Illinois Division VI, which encompasses most of
Southern Illinois. "People can help by making sure they report any
downed power lines and by warning others to stay away from these
lines. Residents should stay away from brush and downed trees which
may hide downed wires." 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). It is anticipated service in Marion and
the surrounding areas will not be fully restored until Wednesday.
However, at this time it is anticipated service in other areas will
be restored by midnight on Monday. Estimated restoration times may
be revised after Ameren Illinois Utilities field personnel complete
their assessment of today's storm damage. The storms, which
produced heavy rains and damaging winds, brought down distribution
and transmission poles and sent tree limbs and even whole trees
crashing through power lines. In many of the impacted areas, the
National Weather Service had issued high wind warnings. Among the
hardest hit areas were Alexander, Bond, Clinton, Coles, Franklin,
Gallatin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Massac,
Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, St. Clair, Saline, Union, Wabash and
Williamson counties. 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: o Raw or cooked meat, poultry and seafood o Milk, cream,
yogurt and soft cheeses o Cooked pasta and pasta salads o Custard,
chiffon and cheese pies o Fresh eggs and egg substitutes o
Meat-topped pizza and lunch meats o Casseroles, soups and stews o
Mayonnaise and tartar sauce o Cookie dough These foods should be
safe for a few days without power: o Butter and margarine o Fresh
fruits and vegetables o Opened jars of salad dressing, jelly,
relish, taco sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup and olives o
Hard and processed cheeses 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. If the odor persists, call your Ameren
Illinois Utilities Company. 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/).
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080914/AQSU003
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Ameren Illinois Utilities
CONTACT: Leigh Morris of Ameren Illinois Utilities, +1-217-424-6400
Web site: http://www.ameren.com/
Copyright