Ameren Illinois activates Emergency Operations Center

Posted on January 25, 2021
Activation of the EOC enables the company to place personnel, supplies, and storm restoration equipment in the areas where damage is expected, according to Ameren. (Facebook/Ameren Illinois)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – Ameren Illinois has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in preparation for snow and ice across central Illinois.

David Wakeman, senior vice president of Operations and Technical Services for Ameren Illinois, said while snow poses driving challenges for crews during a winter storm, ice and wind are the more frequent causes of winter power outages.

“Ice storms are particularly challenging from a power restoration perspective,” Wakeman said. “Significant ice build-up combined with below freezing temperatures and strong winds can wreak havoc on our power lines, transformers and other equipment. Ice accretion of more than a quarter inch is our main concern because that’s when we see trees limb snap and fall into our equipment.”

Wakeman said activation of the EOC enables the company to place personnel, supplies, and storm restoration equipment in the areas where damage is expected.

According to the National Weather Service, total snow accumulations of up to three inches and ice accumulations of up to two tenths of an inch are possible. Plan on slippery road conditions during the evening and morning and commute.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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