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If you are experiencing a power outage or disruption to your natural gas service, please call:

Ameren Illinois: 1-800-755-5000

Electric Outage Center Check My Power Status Outages by ZIP Code Outages by County

Certain repairs must be completed before service can be safely restored.

Residents who need to repair customer-owned facilities, such as the meter base, weatherhead or point of attachment, should have this work performed by a professional electrical contractor. Learn more.

01/19/10 - 08:00 - Normal Operations - Possible Freezing Rain

Take Time to Prepare for Winter Weather

Ameren Illinois is still in Normal Operations mode, but with the possibility of freezing rain for much of Illinois, the Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCILCO, AmerenCIPS, AmerenIP) remind customers that personal safety and storm preparedness must be taken seriously. “Safety is our first and foremost concern when severe weather strikes,” said Ron Pate, vice president of Operations for the Ameren Illinois Utilities.

“The most important safety rule is to stay clear of downed power lines and always call your Ameren Illinois Utility 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,” Pate said.

In addition, Pate said the Ameren Illinois Utilities encourage customers use the following tips on preparing for severe weather: 

  • Begin by developing shelter plans for severe storm conditions. 
  • If any member of your family has a medical condition, plan and make arrangements to have that person’s special needs met in the event electricity is not available for an extended period of time during a storm.
  • Assemble a "storm kit" and store it in a secure, centrally located part of your house. Make sure all family members know where to find that kit. It should contain:
    • Emergency telephone numbers; flashlights and fresh batteries (avoid using candles, lanterns or oil lamps due to the fire risk); extra garage and house keys; a battery-powered radio; a battery-powered or wind-up alarm clock; a supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day); non-perishable foods that don't require heating; blankets, bedding or sleeping bags; a first-aid kit and medications; a hand-operated can opener; special items for infants or family members with special needs; hand tools, such as a screwdriver, scissors and duct tape; household items like  plastic utensils, paper plates, waterproof matches and household bleach; identification and copies of important family documents.
  • If your electric service is interrupted, be sure to unplug or protect sensitive computer and electronic equipment with a high-quality surge protector.
  • When severe weather is predicted, make certain your cell phone is fully charged. Also, remember that cordless landline telephones will not function when the lights are out.
  • If your lights go out, check first with a neighbor to see if you are the only one without lights and if so, check your panel box for a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse. If any breakers are in the "off" position or if a fuse is blown, you should investigate the problem. If you lights are still off, or if others in your neighborhood are without lights, call your Ameren Illinois utility at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – and always call as soon as possible to report a downed line or natural gas odor! The Ameren Illinois Utility numbers are 888-672-5252 (AmerenCILCO), 888-789-2477 (AmerenCIPS) and 800-755-7000 (AmerenIP).

When there is a threat of severe weather, Pate said the key steps take by the Ameren Illinois Utilities include:

  • Constantly monitor weather conditions, watching for any changes that may impact service. 
  • Place Ameren Illinois Utilities personnel on alert. 
  • Consider staging field personnel in preparation for storm restoration work. Decisions on staging are based on evolving weather conditions. 
  • In anticipation of severe winter weather, the Ameren Illinois Utilities may dispatch special Ameren Illinois Storm Trailers. These trailers are filled with materials field crews need to perform their service restoration work. The trailers can be moved to various staging sites to provide materials when outside crews come in to help with the restoration efforts and to provide a store of materials close to the area with the most damage. 
  • In severe weather situations, the Ameren Illinois Utilities Emergency Operations Center will be activated. The center is strategically located in Decatur. 

Additional safety and service information is available at the Ameren Illinois Utilities Emergency Operations Center Web site (IllinoisOutage.com). This Web site features valuable safety information, radar weather, outage information, important phone numbers and much more. Those with mobile devices such as an iPhone or BlackBerry can access information at www.Ameren.Mobi.       

The Ameren Illinois Utilities have been providing safe, reliable energy delivery service for more than a century. The Ameren Illinois Utilities deliver energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 840,000 natural gas customers in about 1,000 communities, while helping customers spend less by using less energy and communities grow through economic development initiatives

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