LG&E, KU, ODP Provide Important Flood Safety Tips and Procedures

3.11.2011


LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With rising flood waters across Kentucky and Virginia, many customers of Louisville Gas and Electric, Kentucky Utilities and Old Dominion Power companies may be wondering how to ensure the safety of their appliances and their natural gas and electric service in case their home floods. Below are several tips to help customers.

Safe Use of Natural Gas Appliances

Appliances that have been submerged, or have had water reach the mechanical or electrical components such as the fan, motor or blower, most likely will be damaged and should not be used.

Gas Service Restoration Process for Homes and Businesses

• Step One: LG&E can restore gas service to homes only after water has receded and it is safe to access the area. Customers should call (502) 589-1444 (Outside Louisville: 800-331-7370) to request gas service restoration after the water recedes.


• Step Two: If customers are at home: Before restoring service, LG&E will turn off the major appliances (gas furnace, gas water heater, etc.) inside the home. Customers SHOULD NOT use these appliances if they have been damaged by water.
  
  If the customer is not at home: LG&E will not restore service until the customer returns and can provide safe access to the appliances.


• Step Three: LG&E will test the gas lines to the house and inside the home for damage. If the lines pass the safety test, then LG&E will restore service to the meter. If house lines fail LG&E's safety test, then the customer will need to call a plumber to make necessary repairs to the lines. After repairs have been made, customers should call LG&E to return and restore service.


• Step Four: Customers will need to contact a qualified heating, ventilating, and air conditioning contractor or a plumber to clean and inspect any appliances affected by flooding.


• Step Five: The contractor will relight the appliances. Only a qualified contractor or plumber should attempt to relight appliances turned off by LG&E. For safety reasons, customers must not attempt to relight appliances.

Electric Service

• Whether inside or outside, never operate electrical equipment while standing in puddles of water.


• Do not enter a basement standing in water or attempt to operate any type of electrical appliance or equipment if there is water in the basement. Call either LG&E at (502) 589-1444, or KU/ODP at (800) 981-0600, to request disconnection of electric service before attempting repairs.


• Once the necessary repairs have been made, contact the city or county inspection office to schedule an inspection. Once the repairs receive an approval from the city or county inspector, customers should call LG&E, KU or ODP to have service restored. The utilities cannot reconnect service without an approved inspection from the city or county inspector.

LG&E, KU or ODP will restore service where it is safe to do so and will disconnect service at customers' requests and as needed to ensure safety. Customers are encouraged to provide the location of their meter in order to help the utilities better serve you.



Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve a total of 1.2 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 321,000 natural gas and 397,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. Kentucky Utilities serves 546,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.