News Releases

Approximately 1,280 Ameren Illinois and mutual aid contractor and utility resources are working as safely and quickly as possible to restore remaining outages the Metro East.  An additional 400 resources will arrive this afternoon.  Crews are reporting significant damage to large sub-transmission infrastructure and transmission poles, and vegetation clearing is needed to reach critical facilities. Ameren Illinois estimates that most customers will have their power restored by Friday evening but some customers may not have power until Saturday. 

"We understand the challenges that this outage is posing to our customers in the Metro East," said Ron Pate, senior vice president of Operations and Technical Services for Ameren Illinois. "Our first priority is to ensure that we are able to safely restore power. We are focusing our efforts on repairing equipment that feeds the largest number of customers. This could include high-voltage transmission lines and structures, substations or main feeder lines. After the damage is repaired, we work to restore the greatest number of customers in a timely manner, keeping safety in mind. As power is restored to communities and neighborhoods, we then work to restore individual customers."

Individual restoration estimates will be provided once crews make a visual inspection of customer locations. Updates will be provided on social media. Specific restoration estimates for individual customers are available through our outage alert system. Ameren Illinois customers without power should call 800-755-5000 to report an outage, log onto the website at AmerenIllinois.com, or report their outage using the mobile phone app. Customers who report their outage are able to sign up for outage alerts to receive text or email restoration updates. Learn more at Ameren.com/alerts.

Customer safety tips

• Call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000 as soon as possible to report a downed line, natural gas odor or an outage.
• Sign up for outage alerts and we will text or e-mail restoration updates after you report an outage. Learn more at AmerenIllinois.com/alerts.
• If your electrical service is interrupted, be sure to unplug or protect sensitive computer and electrical equipment with a high-quality surge protector.

In addition to the safety and outage information available at IllinoisOutage.com, customers and media can receive timely updates on outage restoration by following the Ameren Illinois news feed at twitter.com/AmerenIllinois.

Generator safety

Customers who use portable generators during a power outage must remember that they can become deadly when not used properly.

• The National Electric Code (NEC) requires those who install a portable generator to also install a safety disconnect switch to prevent the electricity produced by the generator from feeding back into the utility lines.
• Never plug a generator directly into an outlet to power a home.
• A portable generator can be used directly power appliances.
  • Use heavy-duty extension cords that are specifically designed for outdoor use.
  • Make sure the wattage rating for each cord exceeds the total wattage of all appliances connected to it.
  • Use extension cords that are long enough to allow the generator to be placed outdoors and far away from windows, doors and vents to the home or to other structures that could be occupied.
  • Check that the entire length of each cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs.
  • Protect the cord from getting pinched or crushed if it passes through a window or doorway.
  • Portable generators must never be operated inside a garage or other building as generator engines produce deadly carbon monoxide.

About Ameren Illinois
Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and 816,000 natural gas customers throughout central and southern Illinois. Our service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles and our mission is to power the quality of life.  For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. Follow us on Twitter @AmerenIllinois and Facebook.

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