Ameren Illinois Utilities Mobilize Resources to Restore Power for About 43,000 Customers in Central Illinois
June 18 2009 - 11:42AM
PR Newswire (US)
Residents Urged to Stay Away from Downed Electrical Lines PEORIA,
Ill., June 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ameren Illinois Utilities
(AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) have activated their Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) in response to early morning storms that
left as many as about 43,000 Central Illinois customers without
lights. AIU personnel are now assessing the damage to both high
voltage lines and the electrical distribution system that brings
power to homes and businesses. At 9:30 a.m., approximately 36,400
customers were without service. The Emergency Operations Center,
which is directing the service restoration work, has deployed three
Storm Trailers in Peoria County. The Storm Trailers are mobile
storerooms, stocked with the material field crews need to get the
lights back on. The trailers can be moved to central staging sites
to provide essential materials in those areas with the greatest
damage. "Our first and foremost concern is the safety of our
customers and coworkers," said Bill Prebil, Ameren Illinois
Utilities (AIU) vice president of Regional Operations. "As a result
of 80-mile-per-hour and greater winds, we have broken poles and
downed electrical lines in the areas hit by today's storms. It is
imperative that people stay away from downed power lines and to
always call us or '911' if you see downed lines. Stay away from
brush, shrubs and fallen trees that may hide downed lines." "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,"
Prebil 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). 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 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: -- 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: Neal Johnson, +1-309-677-5284, or Victoria
Busch, +1-618-346-1286, or After 5:00 p.m. call, +1-217-424-6400,
all of Ameren Illinois Utilities Web Site: http://www.ameren.com/
http://www.illinoisoutage.com/
Copyright