Public Works Collecting Debris from Monday's Storm

The Lemont Public Works Department will continue storm clean-up efforts over the next two days after a severe thunderstorm downed several tree limbs and power lines across the village Monday morning.

Public Works Director Ralph Pukula said during the village board meeting Monday night that the department had already received between 60 and 70 calls about downed limbs.

He urged residents to help the clean-up efforts by putting debris out by the curb for collection. They do not need to be bundled, he said.

"If people can get them out to the front of their homes, we'll pick them up as soon as possible in the next couple of days," Pukula said.

He also urged residents to avoid moving any downed wires.

"If you see one, don't touch it," he said. "Call 911 to have someone check it out ... If you don't know what you're doing, call someone else."

Public Works will be collecting branches through Wednesday. After that, Pukula said residents will need to bundle them for Waste Management.

Monday's storm left approximately 900 ComEd customers in Lemont without power, including  and the —both of which were forced to close for most of the day.

A shortly after 4 p.m. near Archer Avenue and Oak Tree Lane, causing the village to shut down Archer Avenue between Bell and McCarthy roads.

Mayor Brian Reaves said ComEd was working as quickly as possible to restore power to the remaining affected customers.