Tuesday, July 29, turned out to be anything but routine for Ameren crews in Delavan, as a cascade of utility emergencies kept responders working around the clock.

The incident began when UCM road crews, working to remove the old curb along the north side of 4th Street, unintentionally triggered a gas line break. As an excavator lifted debris near 507 E 4th Street, its bucket caught the underground gas line, yanking it upward. The force pulled the gas meter off the home across the street at 506 E 4th Street, ultimately rupturing the line.

Delavan Police Chief Michael Evans and Deputy Fire Chief Sean Bluhm were on scene within moments, shutting down traffic along the impacted stretch of 4th Street. Ameren crews arrived within 15 minutes of dispatch and immediately began searching for the nearest valve to shut off the gas flow.

To divert traffic from the repair zone, vehicles were rerouted down 5th Street. But just as residents were adjusting to the detour, a tractor-trailer truck traveling through the intersection at Oak and 5th Streets collided with an overhead electric line, snapping it on impact.

Ameren’s electrical team responded swiftly, and electricity was fully restored to affected homes and businesses by 5:00 p.m. The gas line and meter repairs proved more complex, requiring crews to work through the night. By early Wednesday morning, all gas services were safely reinstated.

Though unplanned, the events of July 29 showcased an efficient, coordinated response between local first responders and utility crews, keeping Delavan safe and powered through an unusually demanding day.