ComEd Quickly Mobilizes Crews to Restore Power to More Than 160,000 Customers Impacted by Severe Storm

CHICAGO, July 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ComEd today mobilized to respond to system outages caused by a powerful storm that swept through its service territory overnight, deploying an expanded contingent of crews to repair downed power lines and other damaged equipment.  Our goal is to restore the majority of customers by Sunday morning.   The restoration for some customers in the most heavily damaged and flooded areas could take longer.

The storm, marked by record-setting downpours, began moving through the ComEd service territory around 11 p.m. Friday also included lightning strikes that brought down multiple power lines along with flash flooding that impeded roadway access for ComEd crews—contributing to longer restoration times for some customers.

At today's storm peak, more than 160,000 customers were affected; approximately 130,000 customers have been restored since the start of the storm.

ComEd currently has more than 450 crews in the field and is requesting assistance from all available resources, including contractor crews and assistance of crews from neighboring states. The company also has maintained additional staffing to manage calls experienced by its customer call center. Customers also can visit ComEd.com to report outages.

The largest number of outages is located in the company's northern and Chicago regions. ComEd is working with municipal officials and businesses to provide ongoing updates to them regarding restoration efforts.

ComEd's restoration process begins with damage assessment, this process enables the company to determine hardest-hit areas and factors into restoration times. The company then prioritizes outage restoration to ensure public safety first such as police and fire, then hospitals and other critical customers. Next, ComEd restores feeders, which allows us to return power to large numbers of customers at one time, followed by smaller service restorations and individual outages.

Public safety is paramount during storms and ComEd encourages the public to remember to take the following precautions:

• If you encounter a downed power line, immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661) or access our website at ComEd.com and report the location. Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237). Customers also can visit Twitter for restoration updates.
• Never approach a downed power line. Always assume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous.
• 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.

Customer Contact: 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661)

SOURCE ComEd

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