7:45 p.m.

Crews have restored power to 7,000 members today after severe storms brought down trees and broke poles and power lines this morning. About 1,500 Southwestern Electric members remain without power this evening, 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 on site and making repairs in Fayette, Effingham, Madison and Bond counties. In Fayette County, 890 members are without power, 180 Effingham County members are without service, 175 members in Madison County remain without power, and 160 Bond 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.