The Village of Arlington Heights summarized winter storm statistics following the blizzard that struck Nov. 25-26, 2018 this week at the Village Board Meeting Monday night, December 3, 2018. About 12,000 power outages were reported in Arlington Heights, which was reportedly the Chicagoland community with the second highest customer power outage count after the City of Chicago. The storm’s peak intensity occurred from about 7:30 p.m. Sunday until 4:00 a.m. Monday, when about 350,000 ComEd customers were without power.
Crash connected to blocked LED Traffic Signal. Electric utility repair crews from PMI came to the aid of ComEd following blizzard Sunday November 25-Monday, November 26, 2018.
ComEd crews restored power to about 6,000 in Arlington Heights within two days after the November 25-26, 2018 storm.
The village of Arlington Heights reported 1,000 customers were still without power in the middle of the week. An earlier reported declared only 500 people were without power by Wednesday November 28, 2018. On Thursday, about 300 ComEd customers were without power, and by the weekend only scattered outages persisted.
Downed Power Line on Central Road blocked Emergency Room access at Northwest Community Hospital from eastbound Central Road; Atlantic City Electric (New Jersey) Helping ComEd after blizzard outage in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
The village reported that ComEd disclosed that 1,500 crews from the East Coast, from downstate Illinois, and from Illinois’ neighboring states to provide mutual aid to ComEd’s 1,200 employees. Plans were announced to improve ComEd’s outage map computer system to provide customers more timely updates on restoration efforts. Complaints were reported that restoration estimates were not accurate while the electric utility company was overwhelmed with 350,000 people without electricity.
During a village board meeting Monday, December 3, 2018, Mayor Tom Hayes complimented the work of the village staff in responding to a storm he called “unusual and challenging.”
“From power outages to street closures to all kinds of inconveniences and some serious situations, we appreciate everyone’s cooperation.”
— Mayor Thomas Hayes
Hayes outlined the statistics involving village departments that responded to the storm aftermath …
STORM STATS
The public works department deployed 52 snow plows, with drivers on continuous 16-hour shifts. Many public works employees later shifted to cutting down trees to remove hazards and clear streets. At least one water main break occurred.
The public works department also responded to 662 phone calls on Monday and Tuesday, while village hall itself received hundreds of storm-related calls.
The fire department responded to 84 downed power lines and seven auto accidents, 35 ambulance calls, including a cardiac arrest save.
The police department responded to 130 storm-related calls and 23 storm-related traffic accidents.
The storm’s cost to the village — including employee overtime, equipment, outside contractors and a special debris pickup next week — was still being tabulated, according to Village Manager Randy Recklaus. Village reserve funds will be used.
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Scenes from an arcing downed power line, I-90 traffic in a blizzard, tree down Arlington Heights Road north of Oakton Street in Arlington Heights, and a drooping phone line at Mobil gas station at Arlington Heights Road and Golf Road under the weight of heavy, wet snow.