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MidAmerican Energy Company Recognizes Flood Awareness Month
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For more information, contact:
Tina Potthoff, Media Relations Manager, at 515-281-2585
Tim Grabinski, Director, Communication Planning, at 515-281-2343
DES MOINES, Iowa – (March 1, 2012) – March is Flood Awareness Month in Iowa. As part of statewide public education efforts, MidAmerican Energy Company reminds customers about the importance of planning ahead to ensure their safety in the event of a flood.
MidAmerican Energy encourages customers to take the following steps and precautions when preparing for and recovering from flooding. Customers with questions should call MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632.
Before flooding
- If time allows, customers should call MidAmerican Energy to have their services temporarily disconnected if their electric or natural gas meter is threatened by flooding. MidAmerican Energy will temporarily disconnect a customer’s service at no charge if:
- A customer requests to have service disconnected.
- MidAmerican Energy determines a situation is hazardous if service is not disconnected.
- Local disaster or city officials request disconnection of services in an impacted area.
- If water has not reached your basement, unplug as many appliances as you can and move them to a higher level.
- Do not touch or attempt to unplug or disconnect an electrical appliance if the floor is damp or if you are standing in water.
- If you think floodwaters might rise high enough to cover electric outlets, switch off the circuit breakers at the main switch, located in the electrical box. Make sure water is not covering outlets before entering the basement.
- If it appears the water level may reach the main electrical box or your electric or natural gas meters, call MidAmerican Energy immediately to have service disconnected.
After flooding
- If you smell natural gas, do not enter the building. Leave the premise immediately, and call MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632.
- Once floodwaters recede, call MidAmerican Energy to have your service restored. There is no charge for turning off and turning on service due to flooding. Do not attempt to restore service yourself.
- City, county or state inspections may be required before electric and natural gas service can be restored in homes or businesses affected by floodwater. Inspectors will notify MidAmerican Energy when it is safe to restore service to a home or business.
- Building codes or manufacturers’ requirements may require natural gas appliance controls and valves to be replaced if they were under floodwater. Customers should ask inspectors or appliance dealers to determine if their appliances can be placed back into service. Call MidAmerican Energy after the inspection is complete.
- If your home was flooded, call a professional electrician to examine your electrical wiring and appliances. Do not turn on any lights, appliances or other electrical equipment until an electrician has checked your home for electrical or circuit problems.
MidAmerican Energy will issue additional flood safety tips during National Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 12-16, on the company’s Twitter and Facebook pages, which can be accessed at www.midamericanenergy.com.
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