SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (WBC/DANA COMM.) — As if dealing with the aftermath of a winter storm wasn’t enough, residents in Mt. Vernon and the surrounding area were faced with a power outage. The outage began at approximately 6:55 this morning and impacted both Ameren and Tri-County Customers in Jefferson, Marion, Perry, and Washington Counties as well as some communities south of Interstate 64.
According to a spokesperson from Ameren Illinois, a major transmission line experienced a mechanical failure which impacted the electric distribution system. Crews are still working to repair the line and restore power. An estimated safe restoration time is not known at this time. In the meantime, Ameren Illinois is asking all customers in the region to conserve electricity usage today to help alleviate strain on the electric grid.
Customers are also reminded of the following safety tips:
- Residents are reminded that downed electrical wires could be energized and dangerous. Stay away from brush, downed trees and limbs and any debris that may conceal downed power lines. Call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000to report downed wires.
- Prevent pipes from freezing by running faucets on a drip.
- Turn off light switches and unplug appliances to prevent damage and overloading circuits once the power is restored.
- Block cold air from coming in by stuffing towels along windows or underneath doors.
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
To stay warm during an outage:
- Dress in several layers of warm clothing. Wear a hat to avoid the loss of heat from your head. Close off rooms not in use. Secure curtains and blinds to reduce heat loss from windows.
- Never use an oven or charcoal grill to heat the home!
- Protect your sensitive electronics by unplugging devices such as televisions and computers. Install surge protectors, which will protect your electronics when power comes back on. Once power is restored, you can plug these electronics in safely.
- Use caution when going outside. Look out for downed power lines, which can be hidden by snow or ice. If you see a downed power pole or line, stay far away. Call Ameren Illinois at 800-755-5000to report any damaged electrical equipment after a winter storm.