Those without electricity need to check their electric meter base to see if it is still attached securely to their house or building, according to information being distributed by Empire District Electric Co. and the city of Joplin.
Meters that are pulled away will have to be repaired by a licensed electrician before electric service will be restored, according to a statement issued by the city and Empire.
Usually, a repaired meter must be inspected by the city before service is turned back on, but because of the number of people affected by the storm, a meter repaired by a licensed electrician can be turned on by Empire and the city will do a followup inspected when it can be scheduled.
Empire provided a diagram of a meter base and its components to illlustrate what part of the equipment is the responsibility of the power company and the customer.
