Rock Valley, Iowa — As a safety precaution, MidAmerican Energy officials tell us that on Friday afternoon they began turning off natural gas service to approximately 90 Rock Valley natural gas customers and four electric customers due to rapidly developing flooding. The National Weather Service predicts “major severity flooding” this weekend with heavy rain forecast tonight.
Depending on conditions, MidAmerican says they may need to turn off service to additional customers, which could include customers with gas service, electric service, or both.
MidAmerican notified affected customers through an automated call. MidAmerican will also attempt to contact additional customers who face the possibility of an emergency gas or electric service shutoff, even before the company determines whether flooding conditions make that necessary at their location.
According to current National Weather Service projections, the most serious flooding threat will occur Sunday morning, and then the Rock River will fall below flood stage early Tuesday afternoon. However, it’s important to note that flood events are dynamic and can affect locations differently than first predicted. MidAmerican uses National Weather Service historical flood data and river crest predictions to determine which customers need to have their service proactively turned off for their safety.
MidAmerican says their service technicians will remain around the clock in areas where customers have been shut off to protect the safety of their customers, employees, the public, and their systems.
MidAmerican says:
Gas Customers
- If MidAmerican turns off gas service, an employee will do so at the meter. For safety reasons, we will lock the meter to prevent any attempts at restoring service unsafely. No one but a MidAmerican service technician should attempt to turn on natural gas service.
- If your gas service has been turned off during this emergency, MidAmerican will notify you once it’s safe to begin restoring service. We will attempt to restore gas service as soon as possible.
- Your basement must be free of standing water before MidAmerican can safely restore your gas service.
- Gas service restoration will require a technician to inspect your gas service and appliances to ensure we can safely restore service.
- If any customer gas appliance has been exposed to water, the customer will be required to have a licensed plumbing or heating/air conditioning contractor inspect the appliance before MidAmerican can safely reconnect it.
Electric Customers
- If MidAmerican turns off electric service due to this emergency, the shutoff may occur at a local circuit that supplies multiple customers, or could occur on the customer’s property.
- If your power has been turned off, MidAmerican recommends that you switch off your circuit breakers. If it looks like floodwaters may rise high enough to cover electrical outlets, deactivating your circuit breakers can help prevent electrocution or other safety risks. If your electrical box is located in the basement, make sure there is no standing water before entering.
- Unplug and move your basement appliances to a higher floor. If water has not reached your basement, but you suspect it might, move as many appliances as you can to an upper floor. Do not touch or attempt to unplug an electrical appliance if the floor is damp or if you’re standing in water.
- Avoid standing water. Floodwaters outside may carry electrical current from downed power lines. Flooding in your home may also present a safety hazard if your electricity is not shut off beforehand.
- If your electric service has been turned off during this emergency, MidAmerican will notify you once it’s safe to begin restoring service.
- If a customer’s electrical wiring has been exposed to water, the customer will be required to have a licensed electrician inspect the premises before MidAmerican can safely restore electric service.
Any MidAmerican customer who has any questions or concerns about how flooding may impact their gas or electric service should call MidAmerican at 888-427-5632, 24 hours a day.
MidAmerican says they appreciate their customers’ understanding and want to reinforce that safety is MidAmerican’s top priority. They say that these and other precautionary measures are being taken to help protect the safety of their customers, employees, the public, and their systems.
