6 a.m.

Southwestern Electric linemen, contract crews, and linemen from three neighboring Illinois Electric Cooperatives remain in the field this morning, working to restore power to 50 co-op members who remain without service.

Crews worked overnight, repairing damaged lines and restoring service to 1,450 Southwestern Electric members who were without power Friday evening. 

At present, crews are on site in Fayette, Effingham, Bond and Clinton counties. Of the remaining outages, 40 are located in Fayette County, which saw significant damage spread across a wide area yesterday.  

On Friday morning, 8,500 members were left without power when a severe storm brought down trees, broke poles and downed power lines in Illinois. 

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. 

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