August 2020 Windstorm Update #2
Lombard Public Works crews continue to clear debris from roads throughout Lombard. Early observations indicate that the area around downtown Lombard, Lombard Commons, and Madison Meadow Park (between Wilson Avenue and Greenfield Ave.) have received more damage than other areas.
Power Outages
As of 11:30 a.m., ComEd reports that 4,700 customers in Lombard are without power, due to 103 separate outages. ComEd crews are working throughout the Village to fix downed and broken lines. At this time, ComEd is not providing an estimated time of restoration. Residents can check the status of outages in Lombard on ComEd’s website at https://www.comed.com/Outages/CheckOutageStatus/Pages/OutageMap.aspx.
Based upon ComEd protocols, restoration will be prioritized for high risk customers including hospitals, nursing homes, medical care facilities and multi-family units. The majority of Lombard’s residential outages affect single family homes, which may take second priority in this emergency situation. It can be expected by ComEd some customers that this outage may continue through Tuesday, into Wednesday and beyond. Updates will be shared as they are made available by ComEd. We understand the inconvenience of power outages and we thank you for your patience.
The Village has been notified that ComEd has more than 800 employees working around the clock to restore energy to affected customers. More than 340,000 ComEd customers remain without power (11 a.m. on 8/11). In addition to ComEd’s personnel more than 1,100 mutual assistance workers have come in from out of state to assist in restoration efforts.
Several streets remain closed due to fallen trees or downed power lines. Residents are asked to avoid these areas and to dial 9-1-1 if they witness an unsafe situation, including a downed powerline.
Debris Pick Up
- The severity of the windstorm did meet the Village Response level in the Village’s Storm Debris Management Policy. Under the Village Response level, residents have 72 hours to place damaged limbs, trees, or bushes from both the parkway and private property, in the parkway for a free collection. All debris must be placed on the parkway no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 13th in order to qualify for the free pick-up. Tree and vegetation material will be picked up and mulched. Non-tree items or trash is not part of the storm debris collection.
- Debris placed on the parkway before Thursday at 4:30 p.m. does not have to be bundled or cut to any specific length. Material placed out after 72 hours (4:30 pm on Thursday, August 13th) must be disposed of in accordance with the Village of Lombard refuse contract, which requires material to be cut, bundled and stickered.
- The Village is responsible for more than 19,100, trees. Trees planted on private property are the responsibility of the property owner. The Village will not enter private property. Village trees that are planted on the parkways that have fallen onto private property will be removed.
- Residential Structure Damage
- Lombard’s Building and Code Enforcement staff has inspected impacted homes and businesses.
- Most residential homes that were damaged, occurred light damage. There are some homes that sustained significant damage after having been struck by large fallen trees.
- If you have received electrical damage at your home, you can choose to hire a private electrician to make repairs, so that your home is ready to be reconnected when ComEd arrives to connect the final portion.
- A general rule of thumb is that anything attached to your home is owned by the homeowner. If you sustained damage on any of those items, you should check with your insurance company.
The Village will continue to share information as it becomes available. Updates will be shared on social media, through the Village’s e-mail newsletter (sign up at www.villageoflombard.org/enews) and on the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org/storm. Additionally, an emergency alert banner has been added to the top of the Village’s website at www.villageoflombard.org
August 10th Update
Damage resulting from today’s storm has impacted the Lombard area. The Village is currently completing a damage assessment of the impacted areas. The Village’s priority is to clear debris and downed limbs within the roadways to allow safe travel by the public and first responders. The limbs and downed branches will be placed in the parkway for removal by the Village within 72 hours. The storm had recorded wind speeds exceeding 50 MPH at Glenbard East High School and more than 200 homes were impacted. Under the Village of Lombard’s Storm Debris Management Policy, tree limbs and downed bushes may be placed onto the parkway by Residents and the material will be collected and disposed of by the Village. Material must be out within 72 hours from the end of the storm event. Material placed out after 72 hours must be disposed of in accordance with the Village of Lombard Refuse Contract, which requires material to be cut, bundled and stickered. The collection does not include household items or trash, but is limited to tree limbs and branches. The Village does not enter private property to assist with removals.
Lombard Police, Fire, and Public Works are working to restore roadways and are addressing calls reporting damage. Residents should dial 9-1-1 if they encounter any downed power lines or smell gas, or have a situation that requires attention.
Residents should report power outages to ComEd at 1-800-edison1 or on their website at: https://secure.comed.com/…/Report…/pages/ReportAnOutage.aspx
ComEd’s power outage map is a helpful resource in tracking power outages and updates: https://www.comed.com/…/CheckOutageSta…/Pages/OutageMap.aspx