From ComEd -
ComEd expects to have all of the remaining less than 100 customers affected from the recent storm restored this evening, much earlier than initially anticipated. The company has already restored more than 99 percent of the approximately 170,000 customers affected by the storms that struck Northern Illinois at Midnight on Wednesday.
ComEd attributes the early restoration in part to the benefits of enhanced storm response processes put in place since last summer. The enhancements included the deployment of new communications and operations technology, enhanced processes and procedures during a storm, additional field personnel and better customer outreach.
For example, with enhanced GPS and mobile dispatch technology, the company was able to more efficiently manage its crews to expedite restoration. Similar to a smart board, the technology provides a visual of crew and outage locations, giving dispatchers the ability to move crews around to outages more efficiently. Enhanced damage assessment tools and more efficient management of contractor crews and work also contributed to the earlier than expected restoration.
Heavy wind and lightning from the storm caused power outages across ComEd’s territory, with the brunt of the damage occurring in the Rockford area. The less than 100 remaining customers remaining customers without power are primarily in the communities of Rockford, Machesney Park and Mount Prospect.
“Based on historical data of storm damage, we expected the restoration to take longer. We have made more 60 process changes to our storm restoration plan since last summer and constantly strive to improve restoration times and information flows for the benefit of our customers,” said Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd president and CEO.
To report an outage, customers can call 1-800 EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661), or report it through the web site at ComEd.com. ComEd has also taken other steps to improve communications during outages. Customers can text OUT to 26633 (COMED) to report their outage and receive restoration information. Customers also can follow us on Twitter @ComEd or on Facebook at Facebook.com/ComEd to stay up to date on the latest ComEd info.
