Illinois residents are finally able to say goodbye to snow, freezing temperatures and polar vortexes. While many are excited to see the arrival of spring, the season is also known for its rapidly changing weather – and that can mean severe storms. It’s important to prepare before one hits.
How we prepare:
Ameren Illinois’ storm team monitors the weather year-round. We work closely with the National Weather Service and when severe weather threatens, we inform our employees of a potential impact to our infrastructure. If a storm system hits our service territory, we activate our Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and our storm team determines when and where to mobilize restoration crews. Ameren Illinois also stocks several mobile warehouses, called storm trailers, with materials needed to help crews with major restoration efforts.
Here are some tips to prepare your family for the upcoming storm season:
- Organize a storm kit with items you may need in the event of a storm or emergency. Basic items include emergency numbers, flashlights and batteries, first aid items and blankets. Consider purchasing a weather radio. For more ideas, visit AmerenIllinois.com.
- Develop emergency plans with your family. Know what to do or where to meet if cell phone towers are not operating.
- Register any electrically operated medical equipment by calling Ameren Illinois customer service at 800-755-5000.
- Place important documents in a safe box or other waterproof storage space. Back-up computer files and store in a safe place.
- Purchase and use surge protectors for all sensitive electronics.
- Sign up for text or email outage alerts at AmerenIllinois.com/alerts.
- Consider having a generator installed by a licensed electrician, or purchase a gas-powered portable generator.
Before and when a storm hits:
- Turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting and leave the refrigerator door closed. Food will stay fresher longer if the power goes out.
- Charge your cell phone if there’s threatening weather, but be sure to unplug it and other sensitive electronics as the storm rolls through.
- Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
- If you lose power, report the outage to Ameren Illinois at 800-755-5000. Detailed safety and outage information is available at IllinoisOutage.com, or by following the Ameren Illinois news feed at twitter.com/AmerenIllinois and Facebook.com/Ameren Illinois.
- Stay away from downed power lines and report any downed lines to Ameren Illinois at 800-755-5000.
About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy and natural gas to customers in Illinois, and our mission is to power the quality of life. Our service area covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com, find us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois or Facebook.
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