May 21, 2026

Thousands benefit from smart technology after car hits pole in South County

Automatic switching prevents 1.4 million outage minutes from single crash

damaged car after having hit a power pole

Trees and vegetation are the leading causes of local electric outages. However, damage from cars and other vehicles can pose a similar threat to customer reliability. Unlike storms, when forecasting and response planning can be done in advance, pole damage from cars is unpredictable. It can happen at any time and anywhere across the service territory, and it can have wide-ranging impacts on customers.

Ameren Missouri is working to protect customers from these types of unexpected disruptions. The company has installed more than 2,150 smart switch devices across Missouri, which can automatically reroute power and restore service to customers. During major storms alone, these devices have prevented more than 400,000 customer outages in the past five years.

“This technology plays a key role in our response during any storm and helps us keep the lights on for more customers,” said Joe Harvey, director of Ameren Missouri’s Archview Division. “But crucially, smart switches are working hard, no matter the weather, to support a more reliable grid.”

A prime example is a recent pole rebuild in Ameren’s Mackenzie Operating Center. It shows how crews and our investments are working together to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

The situation: A car traveling along Patterson Road in Oakville struck a wood power pole, breaking it in two places.

The impact: The damage impacted a subtransmission line carrying power to multiple substations in the area.

The response: An Ameren Missouri first-responder arrived on scene to de-energize the area, making it safe for emergency responders on scene as well as crews who would be removing the broken pole and building a new one.

The customer benefit: Within minutes, smart switch technology rerouted power to support customers served by these substations. Ameren’s analysis of this incident found smart switches prevented prolonged outages for more than 6,100 customers. Collectively, switching prevented more than 1.4 million outage minutes for these customers.

Crews completed their installation of a new pole the following day, restoring normal operations along this circuit.

The situation also warrants an important reminder to customers about safety. If a power line falls on your vehicle, assume it is energized. Stay inside your car unless there is an immediate life-threatening danger, such as a vehicle fire. Do not open your doors or step outside. Call 911 and wait for Ameren and other first responders to make the area safe.

To learn more about reliability upgrades across Missouri, visit Ameren.com/Reliability.