More storms forecast as utilities continue to restore electricity

Thousands remained without power Tuesday as the region prepared for a second round of storms anticipated today and later in the week.

According to the National Weather Service, there is a possibility of more thunderstorms bringing heavy rain and lightning in areas across Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois. The weather service called for a chance of thunderstorms through Thursday, warning that some of them could be severe.

Around 1,097 customers of Citizens Electric Cooperative were still without power as of 6:38 p.m. Tuesday, utility spokeswoman Barbara Casper said.

At one point over the weekend, about 10,000 customers were without electricity, Casper said.

The outages were concentrated in and south of Altenburg, Frohna, Uniontown and Apple Creek.

Casper said Citizens Electric aimed to have power restored to all but individual outages by the end of work Tuesday.

Black River Electric Cooperative said it had between 7,500 and 7,600 outages left by 7 p.m. Tuesday. The cooperative serves much of Bollinger County and parts of northern Cape Girardeau County.

In Southern Illinois, about 25,000 Ameren customers remained without electricity. The utility said Tuesday evening 2,100 crew members were working to restore power. So far the electricity was turned back on for 44,000 customers. Ameren estimated the majority of those still without power should see it restored by early today.

However, Ameren said some outages would persist until Thursday or Friday.

Also Tuesday, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale reopened. SIU was hit hard by last Friday's storm and postponed summer school classes until Tuesday. A boil order for drinking water remains in effect on campus.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced Tuesday he issued an executive order waiving any rules on the burning of downed tree limbs and brush for 33 counties dealing with the aftermath of Friday's storm, according to a news release from Nixon's office. The waiver ends June 8 unless Nixon extends it.

Nixon also dispatched damage assessment teams to the 33 counties in southern Missouri most affected by the storms, including Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry counties. The teams will canvass those areas with local officials to verify damage to homes and businesses in support of Nixon's request for federal disaster assistance.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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