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Be Prepared

Prepare yourself in the event of a storm or other power outage emergency so you know what to do at home and at work. Organizing a storm kit is also a great way to plan ahead.  

At Home

Items to include:
  • Emergency telephone numbers
  • Flashlights and fresh batteries
  • Battery-powered radio
  • Supply of bottled water (one gallon per person, per day - and don't forget water for your pets)
  • Non-perishable foods that don't require heating
  • Paper plates and plastic utensils
  • Hand-operated can opener
  • First-aid kit and medications
  • Ice cooler for temporary food or medication storage
  • Blankets, bedding or sleeping bags
  • Battery-powered or wind-up alarm clock
  • Special items for infants, the elderly or family members with special needs
  • Identification and copies of important family documents
  • Small bills and change

 

Indoors:

  • Turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting and leave the refrigerator closed.
  • Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment.
  • Place important documents in a safe box or other waterproof storage space.
  • Register your electrically operated medical equipment with Ameren.
  • Make sure your storm kit is ready.

Outdoors:

  • Make sure your vehicle's gas tank is full.
  • Bring lawn furniture and other lightweight objects inside.
  • If you have a swimming pool, turn off all pumps and filters and wrap them in waterproof materials.
  • Insulate or cover water lines, hose bibs, etc. in cold weather.

For your employees and co-workers:

  • Develop, post and review emergency plans, including evacuation routes.
  • Designate safe areas where employees should go during a storm.
  • Create a communication plan with your employees, including pre-arranged meeting points in case of telephone or cell phone outages.
  • Establish procedures for warning your employees of severe weather.

For your facility:

  • Make multiple back-ups to computer files and data. Store these records in a safe place.
  • Turn off all computers and unplug all lamps, radios and equipment in case of a power surge.
  • Prepare for your short-term and long-term energy needs. Consider installing a generator if necessary.
  • If available, park your vehicles in safe, protected areas, such as a covered garage.
  • Be sure electronic devices have battery backup.
  • Lock drawers and file cabinets.
  • Check first aid kits to make sure all supplies are stocked.

How We Prepare



When severe weather threatens, or when the National Weather Service issues weather warnings, Ameren's storm team is notified. This information is used to determine when and where to mobilize restoration crews.

Emergency Operating Center

EOC personnel track the storm, coordinate preparation efforts, and, if the storm causes more damage than local crews can restore quickly, they immediately begin recruiting outside restoration help. Additional help first comes from other Ameren support and if more resources are needed, we contact mutual assistance partners to quickly get help from other utilities.

Storm Trailers

Storm trailers are mobile warehouses stocked with materials needed to help crews with their restoration efforts. The trailers are moved to staging sites close to the areas with the most damage.

Damage Assessment

Field checkers are dispatched immediately to begin assessing the damage to structures and equipment. The initial assessment helps us estimate the number of crews required, resources and materials needed, and the estimated restoration time.

Logistics

A team coordinates staging sites, lodging, meals and other items necessary to support restoration crews.

Mutual Assistance Partners

Typically, our local crews handle outages in their area and make repairs safely and quickly. Mutual Assistance Partners help Ameren respond when storm damage is greater than we can manage with our internal resources. We participate in Mutual Assistance with other utilities setting the framework for sharing of resources between companies.