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SEMCO crews have nearly finished the long process of restoring natural gas service to 1,200 customers in the L’Anse area. As of 3:45 this afternoon, 950 reconnections had been completed. Technicians hoped that they might wrap up the job by day’s end, but cautioned that some customers might still need to wait until Christmas Day.
Representatives must visit each of the customers personally, to turn the gas line back on at the meter, check to see that the line is functioning, and make sure furnaces and other gas appliances are properly restarted. Crews drove in from across the state to help with the effort. Company officials emphasize that there must be someone at the building to assist them. Under no circumstances should you try to turn the gas on by yourself.
If your home or building is unoccupied, you will need to call SEMCO to set up an appointment using their regular turn-on procedure. Call 1-800-624-2019, and follow the prompts. SEMCO technicians have attempted to call at least some of the owners of vacant homes and commercial buildings for whom they have contact information.
Mild weather eased the pain for residents who lost their heat source around 4:00 Friday morning when a car crashed into the L’Anse gate station along US-41, just west of the Falls River bridge. Most affected residents either stayed in their homes, or bunked with friends. Few took advantage of the Red Cross warming station that was set up at the Baraga school.
The Baraga County Sheriff’s Department reports that no injuries have been attributed to the situation. Baraga County Memorial Hospital continued to operate, using backup heat sources.
For updates from SEMCO, click here.
