We Energies natural gas crews are wrapping up a massive restoration effort in the wake of August’s historic rain and flood event in southeast Wisconsin.
Gas technicians have been working since early August to replace more than 1,000 natural gas meters in more than a dozen neighborhoods that were severely impacted by flooding.
Many natural gas meters and pressure regulators that were submerged under water needed to be replaced for safety reasons. Dirt and debris can get trapped in the equipment and damage it, and water and chemical contaminants can cause parts to rust or deteriorate, causing the meter to stop working properly.
Crews surveyed the hardest-hit areas to determine which meters needed to be replaced. This work has all been done on top of their day-to-day tasks. Many crews worked long hours to ensure that We Energies customers will continue to receive the safe, reliable service they depend on.
The work has not stopped since the August storms first rolled through. Gas technicians had to make immediate repairs to ensure the safety of the natural gas system. Because of the flooding, crews had to use innovative solutions to reach compromised equipment, such as using a bucket truck to repair a gas line exposed by a washed-away road.
The floods were also challenging for electric crews. Line mechanics and troubleshooters worked around the clock for four days to restore power to more than 150,000 customers after several rounds of severe weather rolled moved through the state.