News Releases

• We expect to restore most customers by the end of the day today.
• Some complicated repairs will require more time, including a Bridgeton neighborhood with severe damage and dozens of downed poles following a confirmed tornado near Lambert airport. Approximately 122 customers are affected in this area. Homes and property were heavily damaged here.
  • A response team of engineers, designers, drone teams and construction personnel have begun rebuilding this neighborhood’s tornado-damaged infrastructure.
  • Watch an update from North St. Louis County here: https://vimeo.com/1066659810
  • Here’s a national media report from Villa Ridge that shows the local destruction.

• Some single outage orders, which only impact one customer, could extend to Tuesday.
  • We appreciate our customers’ patience as our crews work to safely restore power as quickly as possible.

RECENT PHOTOS

• The following photos show restoration efforts in Arnold, Maryland Heights and Berkeley.

NUMBERS TO KNOW

• There are approximately 405 identified poles that have been damaged by the storms and will need to be replaced.
  • WATCH: Field crews report from Franklin County https://vimeo.com/1066364038
  • In difficult conditions such as downed tree limbs and challenging terrain, it takes at least four to five hours, sometimes longer, to clear a damaged utility pole and set a replacement.
• We have more than 2,300 personnel in the field today. These crews started early this morning and will be working into the night.
  • This includes line workers, damage assessors, vegetation management, safety professionals and others.
  • Ameren Missouri has benefited from assistance from other utilities and contractors, including Ameren Illinois.
• Since Friday evening, we've restored approximately 175,000 customers. 
  • As of noon Monday, we have fewer than 14,000 customers without service in Missouri.
  • See the Ameren outage map for the latest: www.ameren.com/outagemap
• The National Weather Service has advised that gusty winds forecast today, combined with low relative humidity will result in elevated fire danger.

HOW POWER IS RESTORED AFTER A STORM

• Learn more about how we restore power: Power Restoration - Ameren.com
• While you may not see personnel working in your neighborhood, the energy grid is heavily interconnected, and crews are working throughout the system to restore power safely and as efficiently as possible.
• When prioritizing restoration work, Ameren [Missouri/Illinois] works to restore power to equipment that serves the greatest number of customers and to critical facilities.

SAFETY COMES FIRST

• Customer and crew safety is the first and foremost concern during any weather event. Stay clear of any downed power lines or poles.  
• Always assume a downed wire is live. Be careful around pools of water. Stay clear of brush, shrubs and downed trees that may hide downed power lines.  
• Customers should report any downed power lines to the Ameren Missouri customer line: 800.552.7583.  
• If your power is out, check your circuit breakers or fuses – your service outage might be the result of a household problem. Avoid any risk of electrical shock and do not enter any flooded areas.   
• Create a plan for seeking shelter in the event of severe weather and discuss the plan with all members of the household.
• Keep phones and electronics charged when storms are in the forecast.
• Follow all recommended precautions if using a personal generator. Never use a generator inside your home, garage, crawl space, other enclosed areas, or anywhere exhaust fumes can enter enclosed spaces. Never connect a generator to your home’s circuits. Plug appliances directly into the generator.
• Prepare a storm kit with emergency telephone numbers, flashlights and a radio with fresh batteries, along with bottled water and non-perishable foods that don't require heating. Also include medication and special items for infants, the elderly or family members with special needs.
• Be aware of scammers and remember that your electric company will never request upfront payment or a reconnection fee in return for restoring your service.

WHAT CUSTOMERS CAN DO  

• To ensure we can provide you with the latest outage update, we must have your correct phone number or email address. Please create or log in to your Ameren account online to ensure your contact information is correct.   
• Customers can check the status of their restoration at Ameren.com or download the free Ameren app for updates as they become available. Sign up for alerts. Text REG to AMEREN (263736) to start, or visit Ameren.com/Alerts.  
• When reporting an outage, please use the phone number associated with the account. Entering a number that is not associated with the account will create an error message. 
• Customers can follow Ameren Missouri on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest information on what's happening with restoration efforts. 
• Be aware of scammers asking for payment to restore your utility service. If something feels off, hang up or close the door and call us. If you have questions about your account balance, please call Ameren directly. We are here to help.  

Allow electric company workers and contractors to make repairs. They follow strict safety guidelines, so please keep your distance to allow them to complete their work.