High Winds Bounce Power Lines

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ameren IP linemen were called to the intersection of North Division and Roosevelt streets in Du Quoin shortly after 3 a.m. today after the first of several intermittent power failures that happened in Du Quoin and ran north through St. Johns.

North and south of Du Quoin, residents of Tamaroa, Dowell and Elkville say they never lost power.

The power failures were the apparent result of high winds tossing high voltage service lines into each other across the community.

Some areas of St. Johns were without power as the sun rose over the coldest, windiest conditions of the year.

Wind gusts of 50 mph between 3 a.m. and 4 p.m. were recorded. Winds are expected to subside throughout the day with gusts of 25 mph expected tonight as temperatures drop to between 17 and 20 degrees tonight.

Businesses in downtown Du Quoin were without power for a short time overnight and experienced a brief power outage at about 7:30 a.m. this morning.

Perry County Sheriff's deputies and residents report some limbs down, particularly in an area along Green's Market Road southwest of Du Quoin.

As temperatures fall, residents are reminded to care for their outdoor animals as required.