Local communities respond to ongoing power outages

(WAND) - Crews continue to work to restore power to parts of central Illinois after Thursday's storm.

The Village of Harristown sent out a Macon County Emergency Alert notification to inform residents that there is no estimated time for when Ameren Illinois will restore power to parts of the village.

The Village Community Center at 185 Kembark will be open with emergency power for cooling and a charging station for resident's devices.

The alert also read, the village office has no phones or internet, for emergencies residents should call 217-619-3443.

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The Village of Dawson has asked its residents to conserve water due to the ongoing outage. The Village to WAND News, the water plant is on a generator, so they are asking people to conserve water.

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The Village of Tuscola said city crews and emergency crews are still out working. Ervin Park and pool will both be closed for the weekend due to extensive damage and downed power lines.

The Village has opened the Community Building for people to cool off.

Residents are asked to not drive around town and look at damage. People with damage should take a photo, note the address and damage and email to ema@douglascountyil.gov.

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The DeWitt County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page that Wapella Community Center, DeWitt County Sheriff's Office lobby, and Kenny Fire Station will be open as a cooling center.

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Rochester Police Department posted an update to the ongoing efforts to restore power on its Facebook page. The post read:

"Morning Update: Power has been restored to small regions of the Village. No progress has been made on the fallen power lines unfortunately. Road closures still remain in effect for Oak Hill Road, East Main Street, and Penacook Dr. Please obey the road closure barricades! Driving or walking past the barricades poses serious safety risks!! It is still unknown when the downed lines will be repaired or remainder of the power will be restored. Use caution when traveling through the Village. Some traffic signals do not have power. Motorists need to stop and yield prior to proceeding through the intersection."

The Village of Forsyth announced the Forsyth Public Library will be a cooling station. Residents can also use the library as a charging station.

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The Kidzeum of Health and Science will be open for business on June 30. The space will offer a cool place to spend time indoors, during the ongoing power outages.

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Champaign-Urbana Public Health District reminds residents that they are a designated cooling center residents suffering prolonged power outages due to Thursday’s severe storms.

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is a kid-friendly cooling center open from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Free breakfast and lunch are provided for children ages 18 and younger. It also offers educational TV, free Wi-Fi, and free books for kids, teens, and adults.

Other cooling centers available locally:

Department of Human Services, 705 N. Country Fair Drive, Champaign

Social Security Administration, 101 S. Country Fair Drive, Champaign

Champaign Public Library, 200 W. Green Street, Champaign

Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green Street, Urbana

Market Place Mall, 2000 N. Neil Street, Champaign

Lincoln Square Mall, 201 Lincoln Square, Urbana

Hospital emergency rooms

Convenient care offices

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OSF Medical Group offices at 707 N. Logan and 800 N. Logan Ave do not have power today and will not be open. We apologize for any inconvenience and will call patients to reschedule. Facilities in Champaign and Vermilion Counties are up and running at their planned hours.

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The Urbana School-Based Health Center will be closed Friday, June 30, 2023, through Wednesday, July 5, 2023, due to power outages at Urbana High School.

Medical and dental patients scheduled at the Urbana School Health Center will be seen at our Frances Nelson Clinic at 819 Bloomington Road. Counseling appointments with Cindy Lam will be moved to our Neil Street Clinic at 821 S. Neil Street. If you have any questions about an appointment, please call (217) 356-1558.

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Clean-up efforts are underway throughout the City of Jacksonville and Morgan County. City officials warn residents to beware of low hanging or downed power lines. Do not attempt to move them until Ameren personnel have responded.

Tree and brush debris can be taken to the City brush drop off site located at the end of N Church/Oak St. The site will be open 24/7 for drop off.

If you are unable to take tree and brush debris to the drop off site, you can take it to the curb in front of your house. The Street Department will be making pickups of the tree/brush debris mid to late next week.

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The City of Jacksonville will not be picking up construction debris or trash. They will only pickup tree and brush debris.

Residents should be cautious of outside contractors for storm cleanup or home repair. Any concerns regarding contractors should be directed to the City Clerk’s office at 217-479-4613 or the Community Development office at 217-479-4620.

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The City of Danville Parks Department announces that ALL CITY PARKS ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. The recent storm has left large amount of debris and fallen trees in most parks making these areas potentially dangerous for residents.

With Public Works’ storm debris removal operations currently focusing on making City roads safe for travel, an assessment of the potential hazards from storm debris in all City parks is not able to be done at this time.

At this time, it is unsure when the parks will re-open to residents.

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The City of Urbana is offering short-term, emergency tree limb and brush pick-up from private properties to assist residents in recovery efforts.

Tree limbs and brush debris only. No construction materials. Per regulations of the Landscape Recycling Center, limbs must be 8 feet or shorter in length and 10 inches or less in diameter (plus brush and branches).

Place materials in the parkway near curb, in the right-of-way, where it can be picked up by heavy equipment, away from mailboxes, vehicles, signs, light poles, fire hydrants, etc. Do not place materials in the street or obstruct visibility at intersections.

Tree limbs and brush must be placed in the right-of-way by 7 a.m., July 5, 2023, to be included in this pick-up. Urbana Public Works will then perform the removal systematically.

Ameren Illinois' outage map can be found here.