After the storms had worked their way across Illinois yesterday evening, about 150,000 customers were without power.
In Illinois, Ameren crews are working to restore power to about 37,000 customers. These include more than 15,000 AmerenCIPS customers, 3,000 AmerenCILCO customers and approximately 19,000 AmerenIP customers.
Ameren officials estimate that a significant number of customers will have their electric service restored today. The goal is to have all customer service in Illinois restored by the end of the day tomorrow, April 4.
"We understand the inconvenience electric outages can cause our customers and we deeply appreciate their patience as we work to restore service in a timely and safe manner," says Scott Cisel, president of Ameren Illinois Energy Delivery.
"Ameren has committed the necessary workers, equipment and material resources to safely and effectively meet this challenge. In addition to our own workers, we have received help from neighboring utilities and contractors."
Cisel says the storms brought down hundreds of poles and wires across Southern and Central Illinois.
Ameren's Web site www.ameren.com carries near- real-time information on outage numbers in its "Storm Center."
Ameren officials warn customers and other to stay away from fallen or sagging wires. These lines may still be energized, making them extremely dangerous. Ameren serves 2.4 million electric customers and nearly one million natural gas customers in a 64,000 square-mile area of Missouri and Illinois.