ComEd Nears Full Restoration After Historic Summer Storms
Event summary
- ComEd restored power to 99% of the 410,000 customers affected by the Aug. 11-12 storms, deploying 4,500 personnel for one of its largest restoration efforts of 2026.
- The storms caused extensive damage, including broken poles, downed wires, and transmission system failures, particularly in the south region of Illinois.
- This marks the 20th major weather event affecting ComEd customers this year, with northern Illinois experiencing over 52 confirmed tornadoes in 2026.
- ComEd received mutual assistance from utilities like PECO, PHI, and Ameren to accelerate restoration efforts.
The big picture
ComEd's near-complete restoration of power after the Aug. 11-12 storms highlights the growing challenge of severe weather for utilities. With 2026 marking one of the most active severe weather years on record for northern Illinois, ComEd's response underscores the need for continued investment in grid resilience. The company's reliance on mutual assistance from regional partners also signals the importance of collaborative efforts in managing large-scale outages.
What we're watching
- Grid Resilience
- How ComEd's investments in grid modernization will affect its ability to withstand increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
- Operational Efficiency
- Whether the company can sustain its rapid restoration pace amid rising severe weather frequency.
- Regulatory Scrutiny
- The pace at which regulators may demand enhanced preparedness measures from utilities like ComEd.
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