More than 500K ComEd Customers Without Power As a Result of Dangerous Winds

More than 500,000 Chicago area customers remain without power hours after a series of powerful thunderstorms roared through the region.

According to ComEd, 502,748 customers in the NBC 5 viewing area are in the dark as of 8:55 p.m., with crews working to restore service after thunderstorms packing wind gusts in excess of 75 miles per hour hammered the city and surrounding suburbs.

Here are the current outage numbers as of 8:45 p.m.:

With the possibility of wind gusts potentially exceeding 70 miles per hour, ComEd increased staffing and prepared equipment in the event of large-scale power outages throughout the Chicago area.

The storms entered the region at approximately 3:30 p.m., hitting the city and surrounding suburbs.

Several photos of downed trees, particularly in the western suburbs, surfaced on social media.

In a news release, ComEd said that the utility's first priority is to restore critical facilities such as police and fire stations, nursing homes and hospital.

Stick with the NBC 5 Storm Team for live updates as storms continue to impact the Chicago area.

Customers are encouraged to take several precautions as storms approach the region.

Residents are advised to assume a power line is always energized and to not approach one.

Additionally, the utility company asks residents not to approach crews to ask about restoration times, since they may be working on live electrical equipment and are practicing social distancing.

Anyone who spots a downed power line is asked to immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON (1-800-334-7661). Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).