Storm Recovery - Trees & Power

Extensive storm damage left many downed trees and tree limbs and a large portion of the City of Des Plaines without power.  Beginning around 10pm last night, I toured the 3rd Ward making sure crews were addressing dangerous situations.  If you know of a situation that has yet to be addressed, please call one of the numbers below.  

Thank you to all the neighbors who pitched in, clearing roadways and helping remove debris from private property.  

As the cleanup progresses, please treat all power lines like they are live and dangerous.  Neighbors who have property damage should be sure to document all damage with pictures.  

Over 300,000 ComEd customers are without power.  Know that I am working with City Staff to ensure our 3rd Ward is brought back on line as soon as possible.  

Here are some useful phone numbers: 

All Emergencies: 911

Downed Power Line: 1-800-334-7661

Tree Branches: 847-391-5400

Alderman Bogusz: 847-514-6318

Update on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 10:50AM by Alderman Matt Bogusz

ComEd continues to report approximately 15,000 Des Plaines customers without power.  ComEd does have crews in Des Plaines working to restore power.  21 intersections remain without power.

PW continues removing trees from roadways.  Approximately 80% of roadways are open.  The remaining roadways are blocked with down wires or trees and wires and must be cleared using ComEd's assistance.

ComEd continues to report that the outages could extend 3 to 5 days until all power is fully restored.  We continue to monitor ComEd's progress.

Update on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 4:48PM by Alderman Matt Bogusz

Approximately 11,500 customers remain without power.  ComEd projects that 90% of these customers should be restored by 6/24 (Friday).  ComEd has 30 crews working in our area.  13 intersections remain without power.

PW will continue cleanup for the remainder of the daylight hours.  Contractual crews are assisting PW.  All roads are open except for five which require ComEd involvement to open.

Our CED staff has conducted an initial damage assessment and reports that 47 homes have sustained some sort of damage.  Of the 47, 7 sustained some moderate level damage, however, none have required evacuation.

Update on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 9:08AM by Alderman Matt Bogusz

As of this morning, ComEd reports that 3,400 customers remain without power in Des Plaines and they will likely have 90% of those returned to service by this evening.  ComEd notes that there may be individual situations or particular problematic areas that may remain without power until tomorrow.  We will continue to be in contact with ComEd until all power has been restored.

Update on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 1:03PM by Alderman Matt Bogusz

The Des Plaines Police Department would like to remind citizens that home repair fraud scams are prevalent in the aftermath of severe storm damage being reported.  Senior citizens are especially vulnerable as offenders will approach homes posing as workers for a utility company and indicate they need to enter their residence to check electric, gas, water, cable or other utility problems reported in the area.  In each case, more than one worker will enter a residence and distract the homeowner, while others ransack the home for valuables and cash.

Please do not let anyone into your home unless their identity can be confirmed.  Valid employees from utility companies are readily identified with uniforms, identification cards and vehicles.  It is important to immediately contact the Des Plaines Police Department by calling 911 to report suspicious activity involving anyone coming to your home to make unsolicited utility repairs. 

This alert also pertains to roof and siding repair scams.  Businesses soliciting this type of work must register with the City before contacting residents.

Update on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 9:40AM by Alderman Matt Bogusz

As of this morning, power has been restored to most of Des Plaines with 699 customers remaining without power. ComEd has indicated that they have 7 crews assigned to Des Plaines.  The remaining outages take a bit longer to restore as they are individual situations that require more attention.  ComEd estimates that by midnight tonight 99% of those should be back online.