Warming center locations listed on ComEd outage map

CHICAGO (Jan. 29, 2019) – As extreme cold enters the ComEd territory on Wednesday and Thursday, ComEd is prepared to help its customers and employees manage safely through any weather-related effects on the energy system.

ComEd has proactively increased crew staffing and readied equipment to respond quickly if power outages occur. Early Tuesday morning, ComEd opened its Emergency Operations Center, where staff focus exclusively on monitoring the system and restoring power to any customers who experience outages.

"We cannot stress enough the importance of remaining safe during this historic cold weather," said Terence R. Donnelly, president and chief operating officer, ComEd. "We do not expect significant outages during the cold, but even a single outage is problematic for our customers and our men and women working in extreme conditions."

Public safety is paramount during storms. ComEd recommends that any customer who experiences an outage during this dangerously cold weather go to a heated location such as a community warming center until power is restored. The location of warming centers has been added to ComEd's Outage Map, which customers also can use to easily find information on the location and size of outages and get estimated power restoration times. ComEd has reached out to customers who have family members who rely on life-support equipment to make sure they take proper precautions. ComEd also has warming buses on stand-by for customers in affected areas.

ComEd is managing the needs of its employees as they work outside in potentially dangerous conditions. The company will assign multiple crews to restoration work that might normally take one crew, so that they can rotate and allow employees to warm up while restoring power as safely and quickly as possible.

ComEd encourages the public to take the following precautions:

• If a downed power line is spotted, immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661). Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).
• Never approach a downed power line. Always assume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous.
• In the event of an outage, do not approach ComEd crews working to restore power to ask about restoration times. Crews may be working on live electrical equipment and the perimeter of the work zone may be hazardous.
• Do not shovel snow onto ComEd equipment.

ComEd urges customers to contact the company immediately if they experience a power outage. Customers can text OUT to 26633 (COMED) to report an outage and receive restoration information, and can follow the company on Twitter @ComEd or on Facebook at Facebook.com/ComEd. Customers can also call 1-800 EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661), or report outages at www.ComEd.com/report. Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237). ComEd has a mobile app for iPhone and Android® smart phones that allows customers to report power outages and manage their accounts; download the app at www.ComEd.com/app.