What happens to utilities during an emergency
After a fire, flood, or other emergency, your water, electricity, or gas may be disconnected for safety. You might also notice temporary repairs on your property, such as plastic sheeting over broken windows or holes cut into your roof and walls. Firefighters make these openings to let smoke and heat escape, which helps control the fire and protects the rest of your home. Before you turn any services back on, make sure a qualified inspector or builder has checked your property for structural damage.
Restoring your water supply
If your home's plumbing was damaged, have a licensed plumber complete all repairs first. Once your pipes are safe, call the City of Wrenford at 519-555-0100 to reconnect your water. You can also submit a request online through the Service Wrenford portal. Our crews will check the main line and turn the water back on for you.
Restoring your electricity
Never try to turn the power back on yourself. An Electrical Inspector must check the wiring in your home before your electricity provider can safely restore service. Once you have the inspection report, contact your provider to schedule a reconnection. If you are using a portable generator, always plug it directly into an outdoor-rated inlet box. Never plug a generator into a standard wall outlet, as this can send electricity back into the grid and put line workers at serious risk.
Restoring your gas service
If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave your home immediately and call 9-1-1 from a safe distance. Do not light matches, turn electrical switches on or off, or use any open flames. Once it is safe to return, contact your gas provider to schedule an inspection. They will test your lines and appliances before turning the gas back on.
Restoring wastewater and sewer service
If your home was affected by flooding or a sewer backup, do not use any sinks, toilets, or showers until a plumber has cleared the lines. Contact the City of Wrenford to report the issue and arrange for a follow-up inspection. We will check the public lateral and ensure the system is flowing correctly.
Safety tips during an outage
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve food.
- Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk.
- If traffic lights are out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
- Drive with extra caution and follow the directions of police officers or traffic control personnel.
Need more help?
If you need assistance getting back on your feet, visit our cleaning up and repairing after emergency page for more guidance. You can also build an emergency kit to be ready for future events.