Ameren Illinois is reporting thousands of customers without power after severe thunderstorms blew across the region early this morning.
The utility reported more than 21,000 customers without electricity in Illinois just before noon on Friday, and another 16,000 in the Ameren Missouri service area. Crews are working to get the power restored - but it's unclear when they'll complete the work.
Meanwhile, some businesses and organizations are cancelling plans and appointments today - SSM Health physical therapy and the Angela Center in Centralia are closed until power can be restored, but Express Care and Primary Care locations in Centralia and Benton are seeing patients, though no labs are available.
