HomeSafetyNatural gas safety

Flood safety

Heavy rains and large amounts of snowfall can cause flooding any time of the year. Here are steps to take to keep you and your appliances safe during and after a flood.

If you smell natural gas leave the home or business immediately and call 911 on a cell phone outside the building or use a neighbor’s phone.

During a flood

  • Natural gas meters and appliances submerged in flood waters should be inspected before service can be restored. Call our customer service number at 888-890-5554.
  • For safety reasons, we will temporarily shut off natural gas service to customers who are affected by flooding.

After a flood

  • If natural gas meters and appliances are submerged in flood waters, they must be inspected by a technician before service is restored.
    • A Black Hills Energy technician must inspect the metering equipment and an appliance repair professional must inspect natural gas appliance equipment before service can be restored. Note: The home must be clear of any standing water.
  • Customers will need to work with their homeowner’s insurance carrier to discuss appliance and equipment repairs that may be required.

Natural gas safety

  • If any customer smells natural gas, they should leave the home or business immediately and call 911 on a cell phone outside the building or use a neighbor’s phone.
  • Black Hills Energy’s emergency service phone number is 800-694-8989
  • Do not use the phone in the location where the smell of natural gas was detected or turn off any lights when exiting. If there is a natural gas leak, a spark could ignite it.

Service Guard

  • Service Guard doesn’t cover acts of nature, including floods.  
  • A Black Hills Energy technician ensures the natural gas metering equipment is working properly, and an appliance repair professional inspects natural gas appliances and equipment prior to service restoration. If for some reason Black Hills Energy does perform a repair, a charge would apply.
  • If we perform a relight after the area has been cleared of water, we may not be able to turn on the meter, or we may have to red tag appliances and leave them off, depending on the situation.