ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, Ill. — Recent flooding in the Quad Cities has caused MidAmerican Energy to start shutting off gas at homes on Campbell's Island. It's the second year in a row the energy company has done so due to flooding.
Dick Southwick has lived on the island for 12 years and said it was a shock when they came last year.
"Last year was the first time they did this," he said. "At first, they were gonna do it, then they weren't. Then they came around, they show up, ya know, just no choice, they just shut the gas off. Put a lock on it. Then you're done."
MidAmerican Media Relations Manager Geoff Greenwood said the decision revolves around safety.
"We are taking this action because we know that flood waters are going to get higher," Greenwood said. "And there may be a point at which we can no longer respond."
He also said the company understands how the move affects residents and is doing what it can to let people know.
"This time, we're trying to make sure that we give our customers ample heads up," Greenwood said. "We gave customers notice about a week ago that this is a possibility based on current conditions and projections."
While conditions are hard to predict, it still changes how people on Campbell's Island get by.
"Some people don't leave their houses during the entire flood," Southwick said. "All of a sudden there's no hot water, no gas stoves, nothing like that. That's a hardship on them."
Greenwood said that MidAmerican will restore gas to homes in Campbell's Island when water levels go down.
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