Severe Weather Safety
Hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms and flooding are some of the severe weather conditions that can affect Texans during storm season from May through November. While no one can prevent serious weather conditions from occurring, being prepared can help you and your family weather the storm.
Here are some safety tips and precautions you can take with your natural gas service and natural gas appliances when severe weather occurs:
Before the storm
·
If you evacuate your home or business, do
not
shut off natural gas at the meter. Only qualified emergency responders or Texas Gas Service personnel should turn the meter valve on or off. Leaving your natural gas meter on maintains pressure in the gas piping and helps prevent water from entering the pipes should flooding occur.
During the storm
·
Be assured that natural gas lines are buried underground and are not usually affected by strong winds, high water or other severe weather. Texas Gas Service crews are trained and prepared to respond quickly to any emergency.
After the storm
·
As you return to your home or business to assess damage, be aware and alert of possible natural gas leaks.
o
If you smell natural gas, usually described as a “rotten egg odor,” leave the area immediately. Use a phone in a safe distance away from the odor and call us at
800-959-LEAK (5325)
or
911
.
o
If your gas meter has been shut off, do not try to turn it back on. Only a licensed service technician may perform this task.
·
If your gas meter was turned off or your service was interrupted during the storm, call Texas Gas Service to reconnect service.
·
If your home or business was flooded and gas service was interrupted, call a qualified service technician to inspect your appliances and natural gas piping to ensure it is in proper operating condition.
Then call Texas Gas Service to restore service. This includes outdoor natural gas appliances like pool heaters, natural gas grills and natural gas lights.
·
Call
811
to locate underground natural gas pipelines and other utility lines before digging on your property or conducting debris clean-up.