Summary:
In the aftermath of back-to-back storms on June 10 and June 11 that impacted the mid-section of the Ameren Illinois service territory, the customer outage count continues to trend downward.
The peak outage count was approximately 86,000 on Thursday and since the Wednesday afternoon storm, nearly 85 percent of customers have been restored. Major damage and remaining outages were mostly concentrated in the North Region (Peoria, Eastern, Decatur) after the first storm. The second round hit the north as well as in the East Region (Vermilion and Champaign counties).
We have significant pole and wire damage from both storms to repair and re-build today and into the weekend. Damage assessment is still happening in parts of the North Region and remains critical to determine additional needed resources. Because of the significant widespread damage incurred, this remains a multi-day restoration event.
Cooler temperatures today did help with restorations today and into the evening. However, another round of storms is expected to impact the territory Saturday evening and into Sunday.
CURRENT SITUATION
- Approximately 26,000 customers are without power at the time of this report. The highest concentration of remaining outages is in our North Region and East Region.
- Significant damage to Distribution and sub-transmission poles. Crews are performing damage assessment this evening and on Saturday between Chillicothe and Washburn where a tornado reported touched down causing widespread damage.
- Replacing a broken power pole is one of the most complex steps in restoration. Depending on the damage and site conditions, it can take several hours to complete.
- See the Ameren outage map for the latest: www.ameren.com/outagemap
RESTORATION RESOURCES
- Crews worked overnight on Wednesday into Thursday to restore outages before the second round of severe weather impacted the mid-section of the service territory on Thursday evening. Approximately 1,700 in-house workers, support personnel, and contractor resources (vegetation and lineworkers) were currently engaged in storm restoration on Thursday. More crews and resources arrived throughout Friday with additional crews arriving on Saturday to the impacted areas today.
ESTIMATED SAFE RESTORATION TIME (or ESRTs)
- Crews made significant progress in the North Region before the second round of severe weather. Global ESRTs are being placed on orders. Because of the significant widespread damage incurred, this will be a multi-day restoration event.
COMMUNICATION
- This afternoon an out-bound communication was sent to impacted customers alerting them to expect restoration efforts to extend into the weekend.
- Outages are frustrating for our customers. We appreciate their patience and understanding as crews work hard to get the power restored as quickly and safely as possible.
- Real-time outage details and safety information are available at Ameren.com/outage. Customers and media can also receive updates on outage restoration by following the Ameren Illinois news feed at twitter.com/AmerenIllinois and Facebook.com/AmerenIllinois.
- Be sure to call or visit elderly neighbors or anyone who is homebound, if their power is out, to ensure they are physically safe, have necessary medications, and are not at any risk.
HOW AMEREN ILLINOIS SAFELY RESTORES POWER
- Priority one is to communicate with key stakeholders and respond to life-threatening emergencies, such as downed-wires, and to handle all problems impacting critical infrastructure such as hospitals and other emergency response facilities – police and fire.
- Once power is restored to critical infrastructure, crews focus on getting the most customers restored in the quickest and most efficient manner. Crews begin with main lines – those that can restore power to perhaps thousands of people – and then move to lines that affect hundreds, dozens and individual homes.
- This is why homes in the same neighborhoods may be restored at different times, as well as why businesses are sometimes restored first – because of their general location along primary power lines.
SAFETY
- Safety is the first and foremost concern during any weather event. Stay clear of any downed power lines or poles, as well as brush, shrubs and downed trees that may hide them. Always assume a downed wire is live.
- Customers should report any downed power lines to Ameren Illinois via the app or customer service line (800-755-5000).
- If the power is out, check circuit breakers or fuses – an outage might be the result of a household problem. Avoid any risk of electrical shock and do not enter any flooded areas.
- Generator Safety - https://www.ameren.com/company/safety/extreme-weather-safety/portable-generator-safety
