ComEd: Power to Storm-Damaged Chicago Area May Take 'Several Days'

By Alex Murashko, CP Contributor Tuesday, July 12, 2011

A severe thunderstorm with hurricane-like winds knocked out electricity to more than 860,000 homes in the Chicago area on Monday, making the blackout the largest power outage since 1998, officials with ComEd utility company said.

As of midday Tuesday, approximately 358,000 customers remained without power.

ComEd reports that power to about a half million customers has been restored. It may take several days for full restoration to take place, company officials stated on ComEd’s Facebook page. More detailed restoration information from the company will be available later.

The storm, which caused damage in neighboring counties and states, was classified by meteorologists as a “derecho” – a short, violent windstorm with sustained straight line winds that can exceed 100 miles per hour. Winds from the storm on Monday registered at 75 miles per hour.

A Michigan man was killed when a backyard tree toppled onto the garage where he and his family had sought cover. The man's wife and six children were unharmed, the Kent County Sheriff's Department said.

The weather forecast for Tuesday in the Chicago area calls for partly sunny skies and cooler temperatures in the mid-80s. A cold front will push through at night and an isolated shower or storm is possible, according to FOX Chicago News.