4000 STILL without power

and 6000 more lost power overnight.

Published on December 7, 2006 By dharmagrl In Current Events

As I outlined in my last article, the St Louis area where I live saw the worst ice storm in 25 years last Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of people lost power to their homes and businesses.

Today, a WEEK after the storm, 4000 people STILL have no power. In addition, 6000 people lost power last night.

I think it is OUTRAGEOUS that some people don't have power yet. This past summer (late July) a series of thunderstorms came through the area and some Ameren customers lost power for over a week then, so this is the SECOND time in less than 6 months that people have gone without electricity for weeks at a time. This time, though, it's bitterly cold, and people have been burning all kinds of fuel indoors to try and stay warm. As of yesterday, 43 people have been hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning, and three have died.

The Missouri governor has promised an investigation into Ameren's policies and response to this storm. He said he wants to know WHY so many people are still without power after a week - he may not find anything nefarious or criminal, but at least he'll know and will be able to pass that information on to Missouri residents.

I wonder if anyone will bring suit against the power company? This area (St Clair county) is apparently one of the most litigious in the country, so I'd be very surprised if nobody retained an ambulance-chasing 'we don't get paid unless you do' attorney to bring a multi-million dollar suit against Ameren.

I'll keep you informed.

Comments

Dr Guy

on Dec 07, 2006

I know it sucks in winter, but the time and number still without power is not unusual. Itis usually 2 weeks or more (if it is really a bad ice storm) here before all power is restored. Most of those 4000 are onsies and twosies where either an entire pole or stretch of line has to be replaced. I hope they get it back soon, as it really does suck to have to use a fireplace (for the lucky) or kerosene heaters to keep one room warm.

dharmagrl

on Dec 07, 2006

I hope they get it back soon, as it really does suck to have to use a fireplace (for the lucky) or kerosene heaters to keep one room warm.

And people are dying because of it.

It's not just this ice storm, though, DG. It was the thunderstorm this past summer - people were without for WEEKS then. If I were an Ameren customer, I'd be a little pissed - AND I'd be asking a lot of questions about their policies.

darth silliness

on Dec 07, 2006

on the bright side, nasa took a pretty cool photo:

WWW Link

dharmagrl

on Dec 07, 2006

I think your judgement towards the electric company is pretty harsh, considering you have no expertise in what sorts of things they have to do to restore power when it goes down.

You're right, it is. It's simply frustrating to see and hear tales of woe, especially in 1degree temperatures and for the SECOND time this year.

Off of the top of my head, I don't know how many of the CO deaths are due to kerosene heaters. However, I'll go look....

dharmagrl

on Dec 07, 2006

It seems that I'm not the only one who has pointed a finger of blame:

http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/16186905.htm

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