When it gets this cold in the winter, residents should make sure their homes are protected from frozen water meters and busted pipes.
Lisa Reisen from Iowa American Water Company, says it doesn't take much to protect water lines from very cold weather.
She also says Iowa American Water suggests that every member of the household know where the water shut-off valve is and how to turn it off.
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It happened to Reisen, and she knows what it's like to walk down the stairs to find a few inches of water in the basement.
This week, Reisen has made sure a couple of cabinet doors are open along with her basement door to allow warmer air to reach pipes and the water meter.