Ameren Missouri restores power to 76% of customers after EF3 tornado hits St. Louis area; utility deploys 1,900 workers to rebuild infrastructure as 35,000 remain without power

SUMMARY UPDATE

• Approximately 1,900 workers will continue efforts into the evening to rebuild destroyed energy infrastructure.
  • Crews from Illinois, Arkansas, Indiana, and Oklahoma have been working alongside Missouri-based crews to rebuild infrastructure and restore power.
  • Additional crews will join them tomorrow.
• As of 7:30 p.m., we have restored power to 76% of customers since Friday’s violent weather.
  • According to the U.S. National Weather Service, a confirmed mile-wide tornado stretching 8 miles from Clayton through the City of St. Louis reached at least EF3 intensity with 150 mph winds.
• Given the resulting and extensive damage, our crews continue to face varying restoration challenges, including approximately 300 broken poles, extensive tree damage, blocked roadways and collapsed buildings.
• We are closely monitoring the additional threat of severe weather across the Ameren Missouri service territory for both tonight and Monday afternoon and evening.
• We remain dedicated to rebuilding our infrastructure throughout this week until every customer who can be restored is restored.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Approximately 117,000 customers have been restored and about 35,000 customers remain without power as of 7:30 p.m.
  • Due to the severity and extent of the damage, we anticipate our crews’ efforts to fully restore service in areas hit hardest will extend into later in the week.
  • See the Ameren outage map for the latest: www.ameren.com/outagemap.
• To aid in restoration, mobile command centers and trailers with additional materials have been placed in the hardest hit areas.
• In the past several days, severe weather has also impacted multiple states including Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Illinois. Utilities in these states, like Ameren, have called for and benefited from mutual aid, stretching resources in the Midwest.
• We deeply appreciate our customers’ patience as we work diligently and safely to make the necessary repairs as our neighbors and neighborhoods begin to recover.

SEE THE DAMAGE

• Please watch a new Facebook video update of our crews in action, as well as the challenges we’re facing.

HOW AMEREN MISSOURI SAFELY RESTORES POWER

• Learn more about how we restore power: Power Restoration – Ameren.com
• While you may not see personnel working in your neighborhood, the energy grid is heavily interconnected, and crews are working throughout the system to restore power safely and as efficiently as possible.
• When prioritizing restoration work, Ameren Missouri works to restore power to equipment that serves the greatest number of customers and to critical facilities.

WHAT CUSTOMERS CAN DO

• To ensure we can provide you with the latest outage update, we must have your correct phone number or email address. Please create or log in to your Ameren account online to ensure your contact information is correct.   
• Customers can check the status of their restoration at Ameren.com or download the free Ameren app for updates as they become available. Sign up for alerts. Text REG to AMEREN (263736) to start or visit Ameren.com/Alerts.  
• When reporting an outage, please use the phone number associated with the account. Entering a number that is not associated with the account will create an error message. 
• Customers can follow Ameren Missouri on Facebook and X to get the latest information on what's happening with restoration efforts. 
• Be aware of scammers asking for payment to restore your utility service. If something feels off, hang up or close the door and call us. If you have questions about your account balance, please call Ameren directly. We are here to help.  

SAFETY COMES FIRST

• Customer and crew safety is the first and foremost concern during any weather event. Stay clear of any downed power lines or poles.  
• Always assume a downed wire is live. Be careful around pools of water. Stay clear of brush, shrubs and downed trees that may hide downed power lines.  
• Customers should report any downed power lines to the Ameren Missouri customer line: 800.552.7583.  
• If your power is out, check your circuit breakers or fuses – your service outage might be the result of a household problem. Avoid any risk of electrical shock and do not enter any flooded areas.   
• Create a plan for seeking shelter in the event of severe weather and discuss the plan with all members of the household.
• Keep phones and electronics charged when storms are in the forecast.
• Follow all recommended precautions if using a personal generator. Never use a generator inside your home, garage, crawl space, other enclosed areas, or anywhere exhaust fumes can enter enclosed spaces. Never connect a generator to your home’s circuits. Plug appliances directly into the generator.
• Prepare a storm kit with emergency telephone numbers, flashlights and a radio with fresh batteries, along with bottled water and non-perishable foods that don't require heating. Also include medication and special items for infants, the elderly or family members with special needs.
• Be aware of scammers and remember that your electric company will never request upfront payment or a reconnection fee in return for restoring your service.