News Releases

Ameren Missouri strongly encourages customers to exercise electricity safety practices during the historic December 2015 flood. As flood waters continue to rise and crest, and eventually recede, people must be aware of surroundings to ensure electrical safety.

“Water and electricity don’t mix,” said Kevin Anders, senior director of Technical Services for Ameren Missouri. “If your property has flooded or experienced any degree of indoor moisture due to the rains and floods, exercise extreme caution with electricity.”

Ameren Missouri urges people to use the tips below:

• Never enter flooded basements or other flooded areas where water may be in contact with electrical wiring, appliances or other electrical devices.
• Never operate electrical appliances or devices or touch electrical switches, outlets or cords if you are standing in water, are on a wet surface, or if you are wet.
• Do not attempt to turn off power at the main electrical panel box if you are standing in water or on a wet floor.

In cooperation with emergency management service organizations, Ameren Missouri crews proactively disconnected approximately 1,600 customers in flood-prone areas ahead of the rising floodwaters. Several hundred of those customers have been reconnected. All Ameren Missouri reconnects due to flooding require inspections before power will be restored. Customers may contact their local emergency management service organizations for information about inspection details and processes.

In addition, Ameren Missouri crews have been using a variety of equipment, such as boats, to perform disconnections and equipment inspections to protect assets including substations and energy centers. At times, Ameren Missouri co-workers have used water-based transportation to arrive at work locations including energy centers. Crews are also proactively taking steps to protect substations using sandbags and floodwalls.

“We’re doing everything we can to ensure we provide safe and dependable service for our customers,” said Anders. “Safety is our top priority. We look forward to keeping the power on for customers safely out of flood risk, and restoring power to those in flooded areas when it’s safe for everyone.”

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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and the company's electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for its 1.2 million electric and 130,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. The company's service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities including the greater St. Louis area. For more information please visit AmerenMissouri.com or follow Ameren Missouri on Facebook or Twitter.