Widespread Power Outages Engulf Chicago Thanks To Windsanity
By Mae Rice in News on Feb 19, 2016 11:15PM
Tens of thousands of Chicagoans were experiencing power outages due to preposterously high winds this afternoon.
As of 3 p.m. Friday, 92,000 Chicagoans were without power, according to an email from Ald. Pat O'Connor (40th). But that number keeps growing, especially given scenes like this around the city:
Power pole snapped in half in Bensenville on Meyer near Foster Ave. @NWSChicago pic.twitter.com/vD8aD0TFHF
— Doug Fillip (@d_fillip) February 19, 2016
Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) sent out an email in which she listed locations in Lincoln Park that Commonwealth Edison reported were experiencing power outages due to wind. Smith's list:
* 2 outages at Diversey and Dayton affecting 21 customers - no detailed completion time* 3 outages at Shubert and Orchard affecting 850 customers - no detailed completion time
* 2 outages at Lincoln and Clark affecting 422 customers - no detailed completion date
* Outage at Montana and Lincoln Ave affecting 705 customers - crew scheduled, under investigation
* Outage at Geneva Terrace and Lincoln Ave affecting 5 customers - crew scheduled, strong weather cause
* Outage at Webster and Sheffield affecting 98 customers - crew scheduled
* Outage at Clifton and Belden affecting 5 customers - crew scheduled
* Outage at Howe and Orchard from Willow to Armitage affecting 369 customers - scheduling crew, assessing damage
* Outage at North Ave at Clark affecting 40 customers - additional crews required at location
Smith also noted that traffic lights at the Lincoln-Fullerton-Halsted intersection are out, and that street lights are down in the parkway at 2133 N Sheffield.
Though we have the most detailed information about Lincoln Park's outages, there are also power outages in Logan Square, I happen to know firsthand, and all around the city, according to ComEd's map.
Nothing is sacred, even our pies are at risk in this storm:
Out again! We can use all the help we can get! https://t.co/dZ9t5kn2Do
— Hoosier Mama Pie Co (@HMPC) February 19, 2016
You can report power outages to ComEd, and get updates on when you can expect power to be reconnected, at 1-800-334-7661.
It could take a while for power to get back up and running, though. When I called ComEd, they told me my power will be reconnected by 11 p.m. ... tomorrow. So maybe tonight's the night to eat everything in your fridge!