4:30 p.m.

Southwestern Electric crews have restored power to 6,740 members today after severe storms brought down trees, broke poles and downed power lines this morning. About 1,760 Southwestern Electric members remain without power this afternoon, down from 8,500 earlier today.

In order to expedite repairs, Southwestern engineering and operations personnel recruited assistance from contract crews and linemen from Clinton County Electric Cooperative, Breese, Ill.; Egyptian Electric Cooperative Association, Murphysboro, Ill.; and Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative, Dongola, Ill. 

At present, crews are making repairs in Bond, Fayette, Effingham, Bond and Madison counties. In Fayette County, 925 members are without power, 340 Madison County members are without service, 240 members in Bond County are without power, and 180 Effingham County members are without service. The remaining outages are scattered across Southwestern’s service area.

Members are cautioned to avoid all downed and low-hanging power lines. The lines may be energized, or become energized without warning.