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UPDATE April 10, 10:20am: Currently only three homes are without power and gas service is expected to be restored early next week. Food services will be discontinued at 2 p.m. today, Friday, April 10. Call the Benld Police Department at 835-2217 to report any issues requiring investigation or assistance.
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UPDATE 5:52pm: According to Mayor Gloria Sidar, power has been restored to almost all of the 70 homes previously without power. “At three o’clock this afternoon, there were five homes with methane gas levels still in them,” Sidar explained. “One of those five has power now, two of those are vacant and power will not be restored and we are waiting for a response from the landowner for the final two.”
Gas will not be turned on until Monday at the earliest, according to Mayor Sidar. “Gas is contingent on the methane levels still rising from the ground,” Mayor Sidar said. If gas is expected to be restored to the affected area sooner, The BenGil Post will provide an update. The City of Benld along with the Macoupin County Emergency Management Agency are continuing to monitor the methane gas conditions in the area.
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UPDATE 5:02pm: The City of Benld is serving dinner to all Benld residents tonight at the Benld Civic Center starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m and the American Red Cross is on-site providing assistance to any residents who need their services.
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BENLD – Rain on Wednesday and more rain in the forecast for today, Thursday, April 9, has made the mine subsidence situation in Benld worse as nearly 15 homes have damaged foundations after ground starting sinking early Wednesday morning.
Residents woke up at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning to cracking basement walls and the scenario has continued to worsen for both the residents and the City of Benld. In addition to the 15 homes damaged, some beyond repair; the city’s infrastructure may be in jeopardy as a water main and a lift station are in the vicinity of the primary damage.
Methane gas was detected early Wednesday afternoon escaping from the underground mine, so Ameren immediately turned off power and gas for approximately 70 homes within the boundary of West Central, Dorsey, Illinois Route 4 and the railroad tracks to eliminate any possibly ignition points. Sewer lines in the affected area were also shut-off.
The Benld Civic Center is the area’s emergency center with food and shelter available during the emergency situation
Lynn Shehorn, Build Benld member, reported the ground was still shifting Thursday morning with methane gas still present despite Ameren using a “negative pressure machine” in an attempt to remove the gas. Power company authorities are assessing methane levels inside houses Thursday on a residence-by-residence basis to determine if power can be restored.
The Benld Civic Center is the area’s emergency center with food and shelter available during the current emergency situation. Chicken and deli meat was served by the city Wednesday night at the civic center for affected residents, police personnel and additional authorities working in the city.
Donuts, coffee and water were served Thursday morning at 9 a.m. with volunteers from the community and Build Benld walking the affected southwest side of Benld with the same food and drink items for residents who remained in their homes and emergency personnel on-scene. The Benld Public Library is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. for anyone that needs to charge personal devices.
The Red Cross is coordinating meals being provided at the Benld Civic Center while Build Benld requested salad and side dishes to accompany the meals. Cash donations for food and supplies can be made or taken to Randy’s Market or Build Benld. Volunteer assistance is also accepted with volunteers asked to report to the civic center.
https://www.facebook.com/174340725929150/photos/a.813767428653140.1073741851.174340725929150/1024523954244152/?type=1&theater
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