CHICAGO – ComEd has sent crews to the East Coast to help with Hurricane Sandy but the utility says its also ready to respond to high winds and waves in Illinois.

ComEd said in a news release Monday that it is preparing crews to be ready for winds forecast at 50 mph and 25-foot waves along Lake Michigan. The utility says it has opened its emergency operations center and increased staffing. ComEd officials say workers are inspecting underground electrical vaults near the lake shore to identify potential flooding issues.

ComEd sent crews to PECO in Philadelphia and Baltimore Gas and Electric over the weekend.