Ameren Illinois Utilities Mobilize Resources to Restore Power for About 64,000 Customers in Southern Illinois
May 08 2009 - 8:42PM
PR Newswire (US)
Special Customer Service Office for Those Without Phone Access
MARION, Ill., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Ameren Illinois
Utilities are mobilizing about 700 personnel from throughout the
state to take on the challenge of restoring power to about 64,000
customers in Southern Illinois in the wake of high winds that
caused extensive damage to electrical transmission and distribution
lines. AIU personnel are continuing to assess the damage to both
high voltage lines and the electrical distribution system that
brings power to homes and businesses. Additional personnel and
equipment resources will be sent to the area as necessary. The
Ameren Illinois Utilities have activated their Emergency Operations
Center, which is directing the service restoration work. In
addition to electrical outages, the Ameren Illinois Utilities (AIU)
are responding to reports of more than 57 possible natural gas
leaks in Carbondale and 10 in Marion. "Our first and foremost
concern is the safety of our customers and coworkers," said Ron
Pate, Ameren Illinois Utilities (AIU) vice president of Regional
Operations. "As a result of high winds, we have downed electrical
lines throughout the area hit by today's storms. It is imperative
that people stay away from these downed power lines and to always
call us or '911' if you see downed lines. Do not outside in the
dark because you won't be able to see a downed power line that may
still be energized and dangerous. Stay away from brush, shrubs and
fallen trees that may hide downed lines." The Ameren Illinois
Utilities are reporting significant outages in 14 Sothern Illinois
Counties: Alexander, Clark, Crawford, Franklin, Gallatin, Jackson,
Jasper, Johnson, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union and
Williamson. "When severe storms cause power outages, our first
priority is to correct potentially life-threatening situations,
such as downed power lines and to restore service to hospitals that
are without power. We then implement power restoration plans
focused on restoring power for the greatest number of customers in
the shortest length of time," Pate said. To report downed power
lines or other problems, customers should call the Ameren Illinois
Utilities: 1-888-672-5252 (AmerenCILCO), 1-888-789-2477
(AmerenCIPS) and 1-800-755-7000 (AmerenIP). Pate said the Ameren
Illinois Utilities will open a special Customer Service Center in
the Marion Mall near the Sears store for customers who do not have
access to phone service. It will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Customers who do not have access to telephone service
with questions or in need of assistance with bills or other issues
are invited to visit the center. Customers planning to use a
portable 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 because of the threat of deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning. For updated information on the electrical service
restoration effort, please visit IllinoisOutage.com. The Ameren
Illinois Utilities (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) have been
providing safe, reliable energy delivery service for more than a
century. The Ameren Illinois Utilities deliver energy to 1.2
million electric and 840,000 natural gas customers in more than
1,200 communities within a 43,700-square-mile service territory.
SAFETY ADVICE NOTE TO EDITORS and NEWS DIRECTORS: Ameren offers
these tips for your safety and for coping with power outages: Check
on the elderly. If you know an elderly person in your neighborhood
that 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 DATASOURCE: Ameren Illinois Utilities
CONTACT: Ameren Illinois Utilities, +1-217-424-6400 Web Site:
http://www.ameren.com/ http://www.illinoisoutage.com/
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