Carbondale Reporter

State Representative Paul Jacobs addressed the challenging conditions faced by linemen working to restore power in Southern Illinois following a severe winter storm. "I know the linemen are out working hard, but they are encountering harsh conditions that have really deteriorated in the last 24 hours," he said in a Facebook post on January 6.

"I know the linemen are out working hard, but they are encountering harsh conditions that have really deteriorated in the last 24 hours," said Jacobs, according to Facebook. "The low temperatures are a concern. We want people to use common sense and caution if they are out on the roadways, and we are so thankful for the emergency responders, our police, our emergency management people for their tireless efforts to keep people safe during this emergency."

According to a news release on Jacobs' website dated January 6, several counties in Southern Illinois experienced significant power outages due to the storm. The report detailed the number of outages per county, with Williamson County facing the highest number at 8,275.

Screenshot of State Rep. Paul Jacobs' Jan. 6 Facebook post. | State Representative Paul Jacobs' Facebook page

A subsequent update from WPSD Local 6 on January 7 indicated progress in restoring power after Winter Storm Blair. Egyptian Electric managed to reduce outages from 6,600 to 663 and aimed to restore full service by January 8. Ameren's outages were limited to four counties, with efforts underway to restore power for 80% of customers by late January 7.

Vox explored the causes behind Winter Storm Blair's severity, attributing its origins to Arctic conditions. The report suggested that rising global temperatures could exacerbate Arctic-driven winter storms like Blair. The storm was influenced by a weakened polar vortex and polar jet stream, allowing cold air to reach unusual locations.

Jacobs was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2020. Prior to his political career, he worked as an optometrist and owned Von Jakob Vineyard in Alto Pass. He served in the US Navy from 1965 to 1971 and has a family with four children and ten grandchildren.