Flooding has interrupted some residential gas service.
Ameren Illinois announced Thursday that some of their customers may be without natural gas service due to flooding conditions.
The flooding issues are affecting customers mainly in Roanoke, Wyanet, Galva, Galesburg, Macomb, Canton, Utica, Abingdon, Edwards, and LaSalle.
A spokesperson from the company said water inside homes may extinguish pilot lights.
“We want all our natural gas customers to call us so we can temporarily interrupt the natural gas service by shutting off the meter,” said Ron Pate, vice president of Ameren Illinois’ Operations and Technical Services.
In the event of flooding, Ameren Illinois will turn off electrical power to a home or business at the request of a customer.
Ameren Illinois has offered the following tips on flood safety:
- If you detect a natural gas odor, immediately leave the building, do not turn lights on or off, operate any electrical device, or use a phone or light a match anywhere in or outside of the building.
- When water comes into contact with energized electrical wiring, appliances and other devices it creates a threat for injury and electrocution.
- Never enter a flooded basement or other flooded area where water may be in contact with electrical wiring, appliances and other devices.
- Never attempt to turn off power at the main electrical panel box if you must stand in water or on a wet floor to do so.
- Never use electrical appliances or devices or touch electrical switches, outlets or cords if you are standing in water or are on a wet surface, or even if you are wet or the device is wet.
- Keep electric-powered tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from water and wet surfaces.
Anyone experiencing flooding or if you have any concerns you are urged to call Ameren Illinois at 1-800-755-5000. Also call to have your power turned off if flood waters are likely to reach the main electrical panel box.
Additional safety information is available at IllinoisOutage.com and at SafeElectricity.org.