Flooding Safety

With flooding a possibility this spring, we urge members to prepare and keep in mind that safety is very important.

We understand how important it is to keep the power on during flood-fighting efforts, but your safety is our top concern. Please take the tips at the right into consideration. If you must leave your residence in a hurry, please call us.

It is important to remember that the North Dakota State Electrical Board requires homes that have water-damaged electrical systems be inspected. You’ll need to use extreme caution if your electrical circuits have been exposed to flood water. Those circuits will need to be disconnected in your panel and you will need to call a licensed electrician to repair them once the flood danger has passed. A wiring certificate is required to restore service to any flood-damaged home.

Working on damaged electrical equipment or circuits is extremely dangerous in wet conditions. The safest thing to do is have a licensed electrician set up a temporary electrical service for you. We will then connect our service wire and then you will be free to clean, inspect and repair any damage you may have. If you have any doubts at all about what to do, please call us at 701-356-4466 or 701-356-4470.

Here are some things you should keep in mind during the next several weeks:

1. Be ready and stay alert. Have a plan on what to do if you must evacuate.
2. Know where your electrical panel is located and be prepared to turn off breakers, but only if you can do so safely.
3. Notify CCEC if your power needs to be turned off. DO NOT pull your meter; doing so can be very dangerous. If you must shut the power off, turn off your main breaker if you can safely do so, and call us to disconnect the meter.
4. If you have a generator, make sure it is in good working condition and properly connected. Do not run a generator in an enclosed area (garage, basement, etc.)

Please understand that your Cooperative will disconnect your service only under the following conditions during a flood:

1. At your request, and only if we can do so safely.
2. We determine that the home is flooded beyond habitation.
3. If it causes imminent danger by leaving the power on.
4. Our equipment is flooded and damaged beyond use, and leaving it energized would be hazardous or problematic