'Shameful:' O'Shea Blasts ComEd Storm Response

CHICAGO (BEVERLY-MT. GREENWOOD-MORGAN PARK) — Buy some candles and extra kerosene for your camping lamps, and maybe a generator, because it looks like it may take Commonwealth Edison a few days before power is restored in some sections of the 19th Ward.

The powerful destructive derecho storm that tore through the Chicago-area and northeastern Illinois brought 80-mph wind gusts on Monday, leaving 700,000 without power and widespread tree and structural damage.

In Beverly, Mount Greenwood and Morgan Park, Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) said about 4,300 residents were without power Tuesday. The outages include two senior living facilities — Mercy Circle and Bell Haven. O’Shea said out of the Chicago’s 50 wards, the 19th has the most power outages. He called the utility’s response, or lack thereof, “shameful.”

>>> Power Could Be Out Until Until Saturday, ComEd Warns Customers

“I would assume that with the most outages in the city, the crews would be here,” O’Shea said, who was out all night and morning making sure that every outage had been reported. “It has been 18 hours since the storm subsided and I have no real answers from ComEd. We’re going to stay on top of them.”

Residents throughout the area have complained that it has been next to impossible to connect with ComEd’s toll-free number to report outages or get an estimate restoration time because the system is swamped. On the utility’s outage map, the estimated restoration time is Aug. 15 before area residents will see their power restored.

In front of her house at 2019 W. 102nd St. in Beverly, Amy Bristol Keleher set up a charging station — including a table with an umbrella — where neighbors to recharge their cell phones.

O’Shea told Patch that most of the damage in 19th Ward neighborhoods encompassed toppled trees and utility poles. Chicago Streets and Sanitation is addressing tree emergencies, prioritizing trees that are blocking streets.

Chicago residents can report tree issues by calling 3-1-1 (for convenience use the Chi311 app from their smartphone or tablet).

Outages and restoration times can be reported to ComEd report or by calling 800-334-7661. Get updates on service using the ComEd app.