CHICAGO, Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ComEd is monitoring weather conditions and preparing for a major storm that is forecasted to hit its service territory Tuesday and expected to last through Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch and hazardous weather outlook for the Chicago area, with wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour and wind chills as low as three below zero Tuesday night. The impact of these powerful winds could result in outages across ComEd's northern Illinois service territory.
Extreme weather can create unsafe conditions that could delay restoration efforts. In preparation for the storm and its potential impact to the electrical system, ComEd is calling in extra crews for emergency repairs and increasing staffing at the customer care centers.
"High winds and snow build-up can cause extensive damage to the power lines. While we can't prevent outages during such intense weather, our crews are mobilized and prepared to work around the clock to restore power as safely and quickly as possible," said Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd president and chief operating officer.
In addition to crews, ComEd will have its external affairs team available to assist communities that may be experiencing outages.
For updates on the storm restoration process, customers can visit ComEd.com Storm Center. For additional updates customers also can subscribe to our Outage Alert program and receive text messages that alert them of estimated restoration times and other important outage information affecting ComEd service. ComEd does not charge customers for this notification. To register, log on to ComEd.com, click on the "Customer Service" tab, Outage Information, then Outage Alerts.
Safety is paramount:
- Never approach a downed power line. Always presume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous.
- Anyone encountering a downed power line is urged to immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661) and report the location. Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).
- We urge customers to check on elderly and other sensitive family members and neighbors to ensure their safety and make alternate arrangements, as it may be some time before their power is restored.
Recommended preparations for a potential outage include having the following items on hand:
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Blankets
- A battery-powered radio
- A battery-powered or wind-up clock
- A three-day supply of bottled water equal to one gallon of water per day per person
- Canned and high-energy foods like dried fruit or candy
- A fully charged cellular phone
- Emergency telephone numbers
ComEd also offers the following suggestions for customers experiencing a prolonged outage:
- Turn off all appliances including your furnace, water heater, and water pump.
- Leave a lamp on so you can know when power has been restored.
- Keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed and open them only when necessary. Food will stay frozen for 36 to 48 hours in a fully loaded freezer, if the door remains closed. A half-full freezer will generally keep food frozen for 24 hours.
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population.
SOURCE ComEd
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