Almost two years after back-to-back storms battered Missouri causing 650,000 customers to lose power in the state, AmerenUE is helping another utility in crisis---Detroit Edison in storm-ravaged Michigan.
On Tuesday, June 10, UE released 36 fully equipped contract linemen to Detroit to help restore power to the over 150,000 customers, who, as of noon yesterday, were still in the dark after storms struck June 6 knocking out the lights to more than 360,000 residents and businesses.
The numbers are especially high because the area was hit with three storms beginning Friday, June 6; a second storm struck on Saturday. Then, Sunday, the worst storm left another 170,000 without power. Hundreds of trees and lines are down across the state.
In 2006 after back-to-back storms with hurricane-force winds hit St. Louis and surrounding areas on July 19 and 21, hundreds of thousands of UE customers lost power. More than 5,300 people worked non-stop to repair downed lines, replace poles and fix other damage—utilities in 12 states sent crews to help.
“We are pleased to provide crews to the people of Detroit, remembering how important it was to us that others came to our aid when our customers were suffering under severe hot weather with no power,” says Richard Mark, UE senior vice president, Missouri Energy Delivery.
UE serves 1.2 million electric customers and 127,000 natural gas customers in a 24,000-square-mile area of north, central and eastern Missouri. It is a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation.
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CONTACT: Susan Gallagher, 314.554.2175, or Lori Light, 314.554.2681, both of AmerenUE