We Energies replaced just over 1,100 gas meters across more than a dozen neighborhoods in the wake of historic flooding in August, according to company spokesperson Alison Trouy.
Many of the natural gas meters and pressure regulators had been fully submerged and needed to be replaced for safety reasons, Trouy told the Journal Sentinel in an email.
“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 long term,” she said.
We Energies crew members work on replacing natural gas meters after historic flooding in August.
The areas with damaged meters included the north side of Milwaukee along Lincoln Creek, the south side near the Kinnickinnic River, West Allis along Honey Creek and Wauwatosa near the Menomonee River.
“Crews surveyed the hardest-hit areas to determine which meters needed to be replaced,” Trouy said. “This work has all been done on top of their day-to-day tasks.”
As of Sept. 25, Trouy said We Energies crews were wrapping up their post-flood restoration work.
Some of flood-damaged natural gas meters are being stored in We Energies facilities.
How many We Energies customers lost power during the August floods?
Along with longer-term restoration work, Trouy said electric crews worked “around the clock” between Aug. 9 and 12 as severe weather battered Milwaukee.
Line mechanics and troubleshooters worked to restore power to more than 150,000 customers in that four-day period, she said.
More: Waukesha County and FEMA team up to create Disaster Recovery Centers to help flood victims
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How many We Energies customers lost power during August floods?
