Electrical outages and precautions in Cherokee County

Nearly 100 homes in Cherokee County have either had their power lines de-energized or remain without any electricity due to safety concerns related to mass area flooding. 

As a precaution, the MidAmerican Energy Company preemptively de-energized approximately 50 customers, according to Geoff Greenwood, media relations manager at MidAmerican, before the flooding crested. De-energizing power lines disconnects the affected homes from their electrical source. In most cases, Greenwood said, customers requested that MidAmerican shut off their service, fearing potential danger if the power lines contacted the flood water. 

Currently, 44 Cherokee County customers have no electric service. There are currently no reported outages in Buena Vista County.

Greenwood warned that electric currents pass easily through water, “so it’s critically important to avoid and eliminate that risk anytime there’s a threat of flood water coming into contact with anything that might be energized.”

Flooding introduces many different electric service risks. Flood water can carry debris that strikes power poles, and in some cases, flood water can wash out an entire pole. Trees can fall onto overhead lines, and water can reach far enough to threaten electrical equipment. 

Greenwood said to watch for any flood water approaching the height of an electric meter, circuit breaker box or customer wiring. He said flooding can also endanger electric substations, but that has not occurred in Cherokee County. 

General safety tips for an electric customer experiencing flooding conditions include:

• Do not enter a flooded home or basement unless you are certain the electricity is shut off outside the property. Call a professional electrician if you are unsure whether your power is off.
• Unplug electric appliances before resetting breakers. If you can do so without standing in water or on a wet surface, unplugging appliances before switching your electric box back on can prevent damage to them. Be sure to stand to the side of the panel when resetting a breaker switch, and wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from potential sparking.
• If your property was flooded, have a licensed electrician examine your electrical wiring and appliances. Do not turn on any lights, appliances or other electrical equipment until an electrician has checked your home for electrical or circuit problems. Seek a professional to inspect your appliances and heating/cooling equipment if your property was flooded.
• If your property sustained damage during the event, before service can be restored, an inspection may be required by city, county or state inspectors, or by licensed electricians or plumbers. To have your MidAmerican service restored after repair and inspection, you can call 800-432-0586.