Restoring Power After Illinois 2024 Derecho
Derechos are fast moving storm fronts generating 50 to 100 mph winds and spinning off tornadoes as they move through an area. Northern Illinois and the Midwest are subject to this type of weather. While records were set for the number of tornadoes the bulk of the damage was done by the straight-line winds of the Derecho. The following graphics show the path of the Derecho, the direction and path of subsequent tornadoes and information about wind speeds.Click on any image to enlarge weather data.
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO SEE WEATHER DATA
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO SEE STORM DAMAGE
Over 430,000 homes and businesses lost power. Electric Conduit Construction immediately dispatched five experienced crews to assist in restoring power. Other contractors did the same and the army of skilled linemen worked 16-hour days for five days to make repairs and get customers’ power restored.
Repairing storm damaged electrical infrastructure is the most challenging type of electrical work from the standpoint of safety. Crews must maintain a heightened sense of situational awareness. Broken and downed trees can hide energized power lines. Trees and branches may be hung in the canopy and can fall at any time bringing power lines down with them. The strategy is to work safely first. This means that every task is a process of determining that the overhead wires are de-energized, clearing trees, overhanging trees, and broken poles. Then reestablishing service. This includes poles, transformers, overhead wires, and secondaries.
After a storm of this magnitude working conditions can be unpleasant with high heat and humidity, compounding the hazards workers face.
It is a remarkable achievement for these storm crews to drive into a tangled pile of trees energized overhead wires, and snapped poles, then within eight days, restore the power for homes and businesses. Home and business owners have personally thanked our crews for their work. We thank our crews and project managers for working safely and getting the job done.