ComEd Reaches 99% Restoration Following Multi-Day Severe Storm Event
Crews in final stages of repairs following worst storms since 2020 and remain committed to completing service restoration for all customers
ComEd crews have nearly completed the restoration of power to customers impacted by multiple rounds of severe storms that moved through northern Illinois beginning Wednesday afternoon. With 99% of affected customers now restored, crews are in the final stages of repairs and remain committed to completing service restoration for all remaining customers.
Multiple bands of severe weather moved through ComEd's northern Illinois service territory on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing intense rain, frequent lightning, and high wind gusts — with speeds reaching roughly 80 mph at peak — causing significant damage to ComEd's infrastructure and resulting in widespread outages across the service territory. At least two tornadoes were confirmed on Thursday, including one in Streator, Illinois, approximately 100 miles southwest of Chicago, and another near Dwight, Illinois, about 80 miles southwest of Chicago, with additional damage assessments ongoing.
Large trees fell across equipment and blocked access to neighborhoods with restoration needs, and hundreds of utility poles were broken and had to be completely replaced. That type of work is complex and takes more time to do safely, even with crews working around the clock. In total, crews replaced nearly 500 poles and used more than 295,000 feet of cable wire during the restoration effort.
