US Steel begins rebuilding blast furnaces after flooding

US blast furnaces will be put into operation at the sprawling Gary Works after severe flooding the day before Thanksgiving.

US Steel spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said: “The water cutoff has been resolved and the team is in the process of restarting ancillary assets at Gary. We expect the first blast furnace to be reopened shortly. The Gary Works is expected to return to its blast furnace operation after flooding by mid-week. These steps should not negatively affect customers. "

During the holiday, steelworkers and skilled union workers worked around the clock to pump water out of the steel mill. The flooding was so significant that the employees' cars were partially submerged in the water in the parking lot near the plant.