Flooding Preparation

This year we've experienced near-record precipitation. At Xcel Energy, we are planning and preparing for potential floods to ensure the continued operation of our facilities so that we can continue providing customers with safe and reliable service.

Here are some safety tips to help you with your flood preparations:

• If you have time (and no water in your basement), unplug appliances, such as washers and dryers. Better yet, move them to a higher level if possible. Unplug small appliances, too.
• Do not touch or attempt to unplug or disconnect an electrical appliance if you have to stand in water to do it. Don't even attempt it on a damp floor.
• If you think the water might rise high enough to cover basement electrical outlets, switch off the circuit breakers (or remove the fuses) at the main electrical box. Don't go into the basement if there is water already on the floor.
• Safely turn off all breakers, and unplug all appliances and electronic equipment such as computers, televisions or sensitive electronic equipment in your residence. When you return, turn your breakers on one at a time, and then plug in your electronic equipment.
• If your power is off or disconnected, unplug or turn off all electric appliances and equipment you think were on before your power went out to avoid overloading circuits and fire hazards when power is restored. Plug your appliances back in and turn on one at a time when conditions return to normal.
• If it appears the water level will reach the main electrical box or your electric meter, notify Xcel Energy so we can shut off the electrical service to your home completely.
• If you plan to use a standby generator, please use extreme caution, and make sure it is properly installed and maintained.

• In the event of flooding in your basement, it is important to have the natural gas supply to your home disconnected.  Contact Xcel Energy to shut off your natural gas service and do not attempt to turn it  back on yourself.  
• Although it’s obvious you can’t move your furnace, if you have a natural gas dryer, you may be able to move it to a higher location.  However, we urge you to contact a professional to disconnect the natural gas line before you move it.
• Appliance control manufacturers generally recommend that a trained service professional replace all controls that have been submerged in water.  Manufacturers warn that these appliance controls will corrode over time, causing valve failure and the potential for dangerous natural gas leaks.  Appliance controls are often at the bottom of the appliance, and the appliance itself does not have to be totally submerged in water for appliance controls to be submerged.  
• If you smell natural gas, leave the house immediately. Don't turn lights on or off or use any other electrical switches, including garage door openers, under any circumstances.  Don't open any windows or doors other than the ones you pass through on your way out.  Don't use a cell phone or any other phone while still in the house; go to a neighbor's house or other safe place away from your home to call Xcel Energy’s gas emergency number – 1-800-895-2999 – for help, or 9-1-1 in an emergency.

• Call a heating contractor to check your furnace and any natural gas appliances that were submerged during the flood. Again, do not attempt to turn your natural gas back on yourself. Xcel Energy will do it for you to ensure your service is safe and reliable.
• If you know that your gas meter on your home or business has been submerged in flood waters, please notify us so that the meter can be checked prior to restoring gas service.
• Before using any electricity after a flood, have an electrician check the wiring and related equipment to make sure it’s safe. Faulty wiring can cause electrical shock, fire or even death. The same results could occur when working on electrical appliances while you’re standing on a wet floor in bare feet or wet shoes.
• Attempts to clean electric motors after a flood should be done only by professionals.

• If you are using a boat for transportation during a flood, be sure to check the location and height of overhead power lines before launching or taking the boat out of the water.
• NEVER assume a downed power line is dead.  If you come across a downed line, leave the area immediately. Warn others to stay away, and immediately call Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-1999 or call 911.
• If you evacuate your home due to flooding, please notify Xcel Energy.
  

To request emergency disconnection: 1-800-895-4999
To request reconnection after inspection (call Builders Call Line): 1-800-628-2121
Electric emergency/power outage: 1-800-895-1999
Natural gas emergency/gas odor: 1-800-895-2999
Customer service: 1-800-895-4999

North Dakota State University Extension Service

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