ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Ameren is sharing electric flood tips on how their customers should prepare for severe weather.
Ameren encourages their customers to use extreme caution if they encounter any flooding around their homes, businesses or within any communities.
People are urged to stay alert during times of severe weather, along with dangers with potential flooding with streams and rivers.
“Electricity and water do not mix. The two can be a dangerous combination that can cause safety issues for our customers," said Jason Klein, senior director, Electric Distribution, Ameren Illinois. “Ameren is reminding customers to take safety precautions when removing items in basements or operating pumping systems where water may be in contact with electrical wiring, appliances and other devices."
Here are some tips from Ameren to help keep customers safe during storms...
1. Never step into a flooded basement or area where water may still be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords.
2. Don’t attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. Instead, call Ameren Missouri at 800.552.7583 or Ameren Illinois at 1.800.755.5000 to shut off power at the meter.
3. Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it’s raining or the ground is wet.
4. If an electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it out before it is used. Similarly, have a qualified electrician repair any damaged electrical equipment.
5. If you see flooding around your home or business, call Ameren to have the electricity turned off before the water reaches electrical service equipment. There is also a chance that service may be proactively turned off at the request of local authorities when flood waters threaten a community.
6. Consider having ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) professionally installed on outlets. These safety devices can cut off power instantly if there’s a problem. GFCIs are recommended for outdoor outlets and outlets near wet areas of the home, such as the kitchen, bath and laundry room.
Ameren also tells motorists to never try to drive through a flooded area. They remind people just six inches of water can reach the bottom of most cars and a foot of water will cause most vehicles to float. Two feet of rushing water can sweep away a vehicle.
If you are in your vehicle and you hit a utility pole and encounter a downed power line, you are to stay in your vehicle and immediately call 911 to report it, Ameren said.
Ameren provides a variety of safety tips for customers, including severe weather preparedness, how to be safe around water and electricity, natural gas leak detection, electrical fire safety, call before you dig, and general safety reminders. All of Ameren's customer safety tips can be found at .
