• Listen to the forecast to know if there is a severe weather threat, and make sure you can get to a safe location if a thunderstorm develops. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. It is a good idea to heed the advice of the National Weather Service, “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
• There is no safe place from lightning when you are outside. Seek shelter indoors or in an enclosed metal-topped vehicle if a thunderstorm rolls in the area. A safe shelter should have a full roof, walls and a floor. Unsafe structures include covered patios, open garages, picnic shelters and tents. Unsafe vehicles include convertibles, motorcycles, golf carts and any open cab vehicle.
• Even without a direct strike, lightning voltage can enter your home through phone lines, electrical wires, cables and plumbing. In fact, using a phone that has a cord is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the U.S. Only use cordless or cell phones to make emergency calls during an electrical storm.

Learn more at SafeElectricity.org.

• Call Ameren Illinois or Ameren Missouri if you plan to install back-up generation.
• Carefully read and follow the instructions for proper connection and use of a permanent or portable standby generator. You are required by law to ensure that no electricity from your standby power generator backfeeds into Ameren’s power lines during an outage.
• Proper installation of a generator is critical. Improper use cannot only damage your equipment or electrical system, but also potentially result in injury or death to those who use them and to utility workers.
• Do not directly connect a portable generator with your electrical system. A direct connection could result in voltage on utility lines and presents a significant safety concern for utility workers and generator owners.
• Contact a qualified professional for connections of this type.
• Ensure that the total electric load on your generator will not exceed the manufacturer's rating.
• Never use a portable generator indoors. Place a portable generator outdoors in a dry area far away from doors, windows and vents.
• Exercise extreme caution when handling fuel for portable generators. Do not attempt to refuel your generator while it is running. Let the generator cool down before adding fuel.

Before a tornado:

• Be prepared for severe weather. Organize a storm kit.
• Be alert by listening to a weather radio with battery backup, television newscast or your local tornado sirens.
• If you see a dark or greenish sky, large hail, a low-lying cloud and hear a loud roar similar to a freight train, a tornado could be approaching. Seek shelter immediately.

During a tornado:

• Go to a basement, storm cellar or lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Put on sturdy shoes and do not open windows.
• Trailers or mobile homes offer little protection. Get out immediately. Go to the lowest floor of a sturdy nearby building or storm shelter.
• If there is a medical emergency, call 911 or the fire department immediately.
• If you are in a car, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. Do not get under an overpass or bridge - you’ll be safer in a low, flat location. If the vehicle gets hit by flying debris, pull over and park and stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows and cover your head with your hands and a blanket or coat if possible.

After a tornado:

• Continue to monitor your weather radio or television for emergency information.
• Because tornadoes often damage power lines, gas lines or electrical systems, there may be a risk of fire, electrocution or an explosion. If there is significant damage to your home, turn off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker.
• If your home suffers structural damage from a disaster and you smell or hear the sound of escaping gas, immediately evacuate the premises and then call 911 and Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583. Do not attempt to relight any appliances or pilot lights. Ameren Missouri personnel will restore gas service when it is safe to do so.
• Be careful when exiting or entering any damaged building, and cooperate fully with public safety officials.
• Do not drive or walk around the area to sightsee after a tornado has hit. Not only could you be injured by debris, but you are interfering with first responders and utility crews trying to help those affected.

Additional Resources

• Ready.gov tornado preparation
• NOAA – National Severe Storms Laboratory tornado basics

Safety Tips for Electric Equipment

• Never enter a flooded basement or other flooded areas where water may be in contact with electrical wiring, appliances or other electrical devices.
• Never operate electrical appliances or devices or touch electrical switches, outlets or cords if you are standing in water or are on a wet surface, or if you are wet.
• Under no circumstances should you attempt to turn off power at the main electrical panel box if you must stand in water or even on a wet floor to do so.

Safety Tips for Natural Gas

Natural disasters can lead to hidden hazards related to your utility service. If your home suffers structural damage from a disaster and you smell or hear the sound of escaping gas, immediately evacuate the premises and then call 911 and Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000 or Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583.

• Do not attempt to relight any appliances or pilot lights.
• Do not turn lights on or off, operate thermostats, garage door openers, appliances or anything that could cause a spark.
• Do not use a phone or light a match inside or near the building.
• Do not open windows or doors to ventilate the building.
• Do not re-enter the property for any reason until Ameren personnel tells you that it is safe to enter.

Ameren personnel will restore gas service when it is safe to do so. In the case of flooding, if an electrical or natural gas appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it before you attempt to use it.

About Our Flood Plans

• We closely monitor and assess the elevation of the land and flood stage levels surrounding our facilities to determine if there is a potential risk for flooding.
• If electrical systems in at-risk areas become threatened, our most vulnerable equipment is sealed or removed. We may also place sandbags around at-risk facilities.
• If substations are threatened by flood waters, we switch electrical feeds to alternate substations in order to maintain service.
• To avoid future flooding issues, we have relocated some flood-prone facilities to higher elevations and built levies around others.

Safety Tips

• Avoid going outside and be aware of downed lines and poles if you must be outdoors.
• Keep trees trimmed to prevent limbs and branches from falling on power lines.
• Use a broom to keep natural gas meters and piping clear during the winter. Never use a shovel, ice chipper, pole or similar tool or even hit your natural gas meter or piping as this may damage equipment.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated to keep temperatures warm inside.
• Be sure to check on elderly and disabled friends and neighbors.
• Prepare an emergency kit with supplies (flashlights, radios, batteries, non-perishable foods, water, medicines, blankets, warm clothes, etc.) to use in the event of a storm.
• If you do lose power during a winter storm, remember the following:
  • Turn off lights and unplug electronic or large appliances to prevent damage and overloading circuits once the power is restored.
  • Keep faucets on at a drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Dress warm and in layers.
  • Close doors to unused rooms in the house.
  • Be cautious when using alternative heat sources, follow manufacture safety instructions, and keep rooms properly ventilated.
  • Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) for electrical outlets can help prevent injuries and electrocutions when installed in areas that may be affected by melting snow or ice. You can also purchase portable GFCIs for your emergency supply kits.

Dangers of Abnormal Snow and Ice Buildup

Inclement winter weather can lead to hidden hazards related to your utility service. Avoid going outside and be aware of downed lines and poles if you must be outdoors. If your home suffers structural damage from a disaster and you smell or hear the sound of escaping gas, immediately evacuate the premises, call 911 and then call

• Ameren Missouri at 1.800.552.7583 or
• Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000

Above ground gas facilities such as meter sets, valves and regulators must be kept clear of snow and ice. Snow and ice buildup can cause excessive stress on facilities and block vents causing equipment malfunctions and limiting access to emergency equipment.

• All exhaust and combustion air vents for gas appliances must also be kept clear of snow and ice for your gas equipment to operate properly.
• Use a broom to keep natural gas meters and piping clear during the winter.
• Never use a shovel, ice chipper, pole or similar tool, or even hit your natural gas meter or piping as this may damage equipment.

If you do lose power during a winter storm, remember the following:

• Turn off lights and unplug electronic or large appliances to prevent damage and overloading circuits once the power is restored.
• Keep faucets on a slow drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Dress warmly and in layers.
• Close doors to unused rooms in the house.
• Be cautious when using alternative heat sources; follow manufacturer's safety instructions, and keep rooms properly ventilated.
• Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) for electrical outlets can help prevent injuries and electrocutions when installed in areas that may be affected by melting snow or ice. You can also purchase portable GFCIs for your emergency supply kit.

Remember to check on elderly and disabled family, friends and neighbors.

Safety Tips Before a Snow Storm

• Keep trees trimmed to prevent limbs and branches from falling onto power lines.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated to keep temperatures warm inside. Learn more about Ameren Missouri Energy Efficiency Programs or Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency Programs.
• Prepare an emergency kit with supplies (flashlights, radios, batteries, nonperishable foods, water, medicines, blankets, warm clothes, etc.) to use in the event of a storm.