ComEd Prepared for Second Day of High Winds

CHICAGO, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- ComEd crews have successfully restored power to approximately 200,000 customers affected by the high winds and severe weather that swept through northern Illinois. As of 6:00 a.m. Central Time only 3,500 customers are without power.

A high wind advisory still is in effect for the ComEd service territory. ComEd is preparing for extreme winds up to 55 mph which are forecasted to last through Wednesday. The impact of these powerful winds could result in additional outages across ComEd's northern Illinois service territory.

"Our crews are working around the clock to restore service to customers' homes and businesses that have been affected," said Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd President and COO. "We appreciate the patience of our customers as we work through these destructive storms."

The hardest hit areas are the far west suburbs and south suburbs which saw high winds knock over trees, and took down a transmission line in Sandwich, Illinois.

In preparation for the second day of high winds, ComEd is taking the following measures to protect its electrical distribution system:

• Keeping open company's emergency operations center and regional storm centers.
• Scheduling extra work crews.
• Enhancing call center staffing.

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.

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.
• Customers who are on medical support equipment are strongly encouraged to evacuate to a place where they can be comfortable and safe.

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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