When flood waters threaten homes, many LG&E and KU customers wonder how to ensure the safety of their appliances and their natural gas and electric service in case their home floods.

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.

For service restoration information, click on the appropriate link below:

LG&E Customers
KU/ODP Customers



Gas Service Restoration — LG&E

• Step One: LG&E can restore gas service to homes only after water has receded and it is safe to access the area. After the water recedes, call 502-589-1444 (outside Louisville at 1-800-331-7370) to request gas service restoration.



• Step Two:
  
  
  • If the customer is home: Before restoring service, LG&E will turn off the major appliances (gas furnace, gas water heater, etc.) inside the home. DO 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 LG&E's safety test, LG&E will restore service to the meter. If house lines fail LG&E's safety test, the customer will need to contact a plumber to make necessary repairs to the lines. After repairs have been made, call LG&E to request to have service restored.



• Step Four: Customers will need to contact a qualified heating, ventilating, and air conditioning contractor or a plumber to clean and inspect any appliances that may have been 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 Restoration — LG&E

• Whether inside or outside, never operate electrical equipment while standing in 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. Immediately call LG&E at 502-589-1444 (outside Louisville 1-800-331-7370) to request disconnection of electric service before attempting repairs.

The following information, from the Louisville Metro Office of Inspections, Permits and Licenses, applies to Louisville Metro residents. Residents outside of Louisville should check with local government officials for specific information about restrictions, licensing and permitting related to electric service restoration after flooding has occurred:

All electrical equipment such as electrical panels, breakers, receptacles, switches, lights and appliances that have been submerged in water or damaged must be replaced according to the current National Electrical Code. A permit must be obtained by the electrical contractor and an inspection must be performed by the electrical inspector before electric service can be restored. If the home is occupied and the owner wants to perform the work themselves, the owner may obtain a permit from the Louisville Metro's Office of Inspections, Permits and Licenses between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The fee for a residential permit and one inspection is $50.

To schedule an inspection by an electrical inspector: If LG&E disconnected the customer's service and no electrical equipment (see above) was submerged in water or damaged, call the Louisville Metro Office of Inspections, Permits and Licenses at 502-574-3321 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 502-773-2086 on Saturday and Sunday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Once the inspector verifies the condition of the electrical equipment, the inspector will contact LG&E to reconnect the service. No permit is required for this service.

Boat slips/docks that are inaccessible because of high water and which are fed from a residence must be disconnected from the residence until the water has receded enough to make all necessary repairs and electrical inspections have occurred.

LG&E will restore natural gas and electric service only when it is safe to do so and will disconnect service at customers' requests or as needed to ensure safety. Customers are encouraged to provide the location of their meter whenever possible, which will help LG&E expedite the service disconnection or reconnection.

As always, in the event of natural gas emergencies, electric outages or downed power lines, customers should call LG&E at 502-589-1444 (outside Louisville at 1-800-331-7370).



Electric Service Restoration — KU/ODP

• 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.  Immediately call KU at 1-800-981-0600 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, the city or county inspector should call KU at 1-800-981-0600 to have service restored. KU cannot reconnect service without an approved inspection from the city or county inspector.

KU will restore electric 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 KU's customer service representatives better serve them. As always, in the event of electric outages or downed power lines, customers should call KU at 1-800-981-0600.