​More than 700 highly trained utility personnel prepare for multi-day restoration effort

CHICAGO (September 9, 2017) – As Florida prepares for potentially historic and damaging Hurricane Irma, ComEd is sending 200 ComEd and contractor crews to provide restoration assistance to Florida Power and Light and Duke Energy. The storm system could produce winds of more than 140 miles per hour and 20 inches of rain.

Contractors departed on Thursday. ComEd crews will leave on Sunday, September 10, and arrive on Monday.

Crews are preparing to stay for at least two weeks.

"We are very fortunate to have experienced and dedicated employees who day in and day out manage the complex electrical grid that powers nearly 4 million customer homes and businesses in Illinois," said Donnelly.  "Our employees are eager to use that experience to help others and are looking forward to providing their assistance to residents and utilities in Florida."

Responding crews are prepared for significant damage, including downed power lines and broken poles. Upon arrival, crews will receive a safety briefing before beginning any work.

In addition to ComEd crews, crews from the other Exelon utilities – BGE, PECO and PHI – are responding to the devastation following Hurricane Irma.

 "With hundreds of thousands of people facing power outages Florida, we think it's important to work with local utilities to get customers affected by this storm restored as quickly and safely as possible," said Donnelly.  "We have been fortunate to receive assistance when our system has been impacted by significant storms. We are glad to help bring critical infrastructure back to residents and give them some peace of mind."