STORM UPDATE: 11:00 A.M.
AmerenUE brought to 3,500 the total working to install more than 2,500 poles, hundreds of lines and to make other repairs to an electrical system severely damaged by the ice storms that hit Southeast Missouri earlier this week.
The severity of the damage and the amount of ice mean customers could be out of power for an extended period. Everyone affected should make appropriate arrangements to find shelter; for locations of warming centers, customers can call UE at 1-800-552-7583.
UE expects to add 500 more workers today bringing to 4,000 the number battling the storm. Hundreds of line workers from multiple Midwestern, Southern and Southwestern utilities were called in to support restoration.
Of the more than 35,000 UE customers affected by the storm, 29,000 are still out of power.
In these conditions, UE reminds customers that safety is the first and foremost concern. The most important safety rule is to stay clear of downed power lines and always call UE at 1-800-552-7583 or 911 if you see downed lines. Assume all downed power lines are energized. Stay inside, especially at night because you may walk into an energized power line. Stay clear of brush, shrubs and downed trees that may hide downed lines.
Additional storm safety information is available on the Storm Center on Ameren’s Web site – the first choice on the left navigation bar (www.ameren.com).
With residential electric retail rates that are more than 40 percent below the national average, UE provides electricity and natural gas to 1.2 million customers in Missouri. UE’s parent, Ameren Corporation, through its affiliates, serves 2.4 million electric and nearly 1 million natural gas customers across 64,000 square miles of Missouri and Illinois.
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CONTACT: Susan Gallagher, 314.554.2175, or Mike Cleary, 573.681.7137, both of AmerenUE