CHICAGO (Sept. 16, 2020) – Extreme weather and natural disasters have become a more frequent occurrence in Illinois and around the country. ComEd reminds customers during National Preparedness Month in September to be prepared for severe weather and other emergencies, especially when they cause power outages.

The importance of being prepared was evident in August when a historic derecho brought a wave of destruction in a short period of time, causing severe and widespread damage. The storm pummeled the entire 11,000-square-mile ComEd region with hurricane force winds, 100 mile per hour gusts, 15 tornadoes including 13 in communities we serve, 4,300 lightning strokes and golf ball-sized hail. ComEd restored 540,000 customers within 24 hours, the fastest the company has restored more than 500,000 customers.

"The safety of our customers, communities and employees is always our top priority," said Terry Donnelly, ComEd president and COO. "As we see extreme weather more frequently, being prepared is critical to keeping our customers and our families safe."

To help customers plan and prepare for an emergency, ComEd offers the following tips:

• Stay far away from storm-damaged electrical equipment, especially downed wires. Always assume downed wires are energized. Report a downed wire immediately by calling ComEd at 1-800-334-7661.
• Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.
• Identify an alternate location for you and/or your family in case of an extended power outage.

• Customers who rely on electricity to keep medicine refrigerated or medical equipment running should develop a backup plan for these needs during a power outage.

• If you own a backup generator, review the manufacturer's instructions for its safe operation. Do not connect a generator directly to your home's wiring. Never use a generator indoors or in any enclosed area.
• Follow the advice of local emergency management officials.
  

For more information about preparing for a tornado, visit the ComEd Powering Lives Network here.

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.

Launched in 2004, National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). During the month, FEMA and DHS encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in all facets of their lives.