Approximately 5,700 people in the Chicago area are still without power following Sunday's winter blast, ComEd said.
Around 3,600 of those homes and businesses are in Cook County, with 1,400 more in DuPage County after a powerful storm took down trees and dumped nearly a foot of snow in some areas.
While power is expected to be restored later in the day to most of the affected areas, residents are still dealing with the double-whammy of bitter cold temperatures and no electricity in their homes.
When he saw his neighbors tree in his yard and over his power lines, Jim Dougherty had one thought.
"Now we’re in trouble," he said.
Two days without power at his Arlington Heights home--so he invested in a generator.
"Fifty-five degrees and I was able to get the heater on yesterday afternoon," he said. "Then it perked right up."
ComEd workers moved Tuesday to get his —and the remaining customers’— power back on.
"We have about 800 of our crews and contractors working around the clock and have been since Monday," ComEd Senior VP of Distribution Ops Timothy McGuire said. "And another 260 crews arriving today and tomorrow morning."
A ComEd spokesperson added that, despite criticism for not acting fast enough, this storm was unique.
"This is an ice storm," McGuire said. "It looks like snow, but you peel that away, there’s ice underneath it and I have 38 years with company. If there’s been another case I don’t recall it--where the entire 12,000 square miles of ComEd’s footprint was impacted by the ice and snow."
Arlington Heights Memorial Library is offering hot drinks and charging stations for the residents.
"I've been up here most of today," said Paul Campbell, who lost his power. "Lots of power outlets, the fire and resources and all your friends are here."
Campbell carried a small suitcase because his house was dark and cold Tuesday night.
"I think temp at my house is low 30s," he said. "It’s like camping."
