CHICAGO (Dec. 22, 2022) – In preparation for the winter storm expected today and tomorrow, ComEd has assembled a response team of more than 1,800 ComEd, contractor and mutual assistance workers to respond to any outages resulting from the weather, including more than 300 energy company workers from other parts of the country. Forecasts project 4 inches to 6 inches of snow, wind gusts in excess of 50 miles per hour and below zero temperatures across northern Illinois from Thursday night through Friday.

"For any customers impacted by this storm, we will be focused on restoring power as quickly and safely as possible," said Gil Quiniones, CEO of ComEd. "We've made investments in our electric system to make it more resilient to the effects of extreme weather. This technology, and the dedicated men and women of ComEd, will work to minimize the impact for our customers."

Storm response workers and equipment are being positioned around the ComEd territory to be in place to most quickly restore power for affected customers. They will be taking extra safety precautions, including regular breaks inside their vehicles, as they face negative windchill temperatures. In addition, ComEd will have warming buses on standby, if necessary, for vulnerable customers while power is being restored.

When responding to power outages caused by storms, ComEd's priority is to restore critical facilities such as police and fire stations, nursing homes and hospitals first, followed by work that will restore power to the greatest number of customers.

Public safety is paramount, and ComEd encourages customers 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 extremely dangerous and energized.
• 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. Additionally, for the safety of themselves and the public, crews are practicing social distancing.

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 via the website at ComEd.com/report. Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237). 

ComEd's mobile app for iPhone and Android® smart phones gives customers the ability to report power outages and manage their accounts; download the app at ComEd.com/app.

ComEd's interactive outage map on its website at ComEd.com/map allows customers to easily find information on the location and size of outages and get estimated power restoration times.

Cold Weather Tips

During the cold-weather season, ComEd customers can manage energy use and save money on their electric bills with a few easy steps:

• When the sun is shining, open shades on south-facing windows and take advantage of natural light for warmth. Close the shades during the night to help insulate your home.

• Set your thermostat to as low a temperature as possible to maintain personal comfort. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall heating bill will be. Overnight, you can also save by turning your thermostat down a few degrees while sleeping.

• Clear area around heating and cooling vents. Furniture, carpets, and other objects can block vents and prevent heated air from circulating in your home.

Link to b-roll of crews preparing for restoration.