Ice causes thousands to lose power in McLean, neighboring counties

Posted on February 21, 2018
power lines
Icy conditions prompted widespread power outages in Central Illinois on Wednesday morning. (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Utility crews in McLean County and neighboring counties have been working much of Wednesday morning trying to restore power to thousands of residents.

Corn Belt Energy reported more than 2,100 co-op members in McLean, Ford and Champaign counties at its peak early Wednesday.

As of about 8 a.m. Corn Belt reported about 1,800 customers without power.

“Rain last night followed by cold temperatures this morning have caused icy conditions,” spokeswoman Hillary Cherry said. “Crews are encountering ice on the lines as well as other equipment but continue to work to restore power to all impacted members. We have also received reports of trees on lines. We greatly appreciate our members’ continued patience as we work to restore power.”

Power outages prompted Cornerstone Christian Academy in Bloomington and Lexington and Ridgeview schools to cancel classes on Wednesday.

The Corn Belt Energy Saybrook and Cooksville substations remain without power, which services members in Bloomington, Colfax, Cooksville, Downs, Ellsworth, Farmer City, Foosland, Gridley, Hudson, LeRoy, Saybrook, and Towanda.

Those members who are fed off of the Lexington substation and a portion of Corn Belt’s Holder substation now have power. This includes members in Chenoa, Colfax, Fairbury and Lexington.

As a reminder, if you are without power, you can call Corn Belt Energy at 1-800-879-0339 or use the SmartHub app to report your outage.

Ameren also has some outages in southeast Bloomington, along with parts of Cooksville, Saybrook, Lexington and rural El Paso.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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