Dive Summary:
- The Chicago-based ComEd gathered more than 30 state, county, municipal and private entities for its first-ever, state-wide emergency drill to prepare for the “worst-case” weather event.
- The drill's scenario included multiple tornados touching down in Northern Illinois and causing power outages to 1.5 million customers, or 40% of ComEd’s customers. In addition to ComEd, participants included Nicor Gas, Comcast, AT&T, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois State Police, and Offices of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The drill also built upon 60 storm process enhancements ComEd made in 2012 to improve storm restoration and recovery.
- "We cannot wait for severe weather to hit to begin the discussion around restoration of critical services," said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
From the article:
... "This drill is not a one-day event. It is the beginning of an ongoing dialogue to improve our collective ability to respond to significant storm damage to our communities," said Donnelly. ...