Columbia Gas of Massachusetts Monitoring Hurricane Irene
Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is monitoring the progress of Hurricane Irene to maintain the safest possible natural gas service to its nearly 300,000 Massachusetts customers. The Columbia Gas emergency preparedness plan is activated, and personnel across Massachusetts are on alert. Additional crews will be available and on stand-by throughout the duration of the storm in the operations centers in Brockton, Springfield and Lawrence. Crews are ready to respond to any emergency needs created by the storm.
What to do in the event of a flood:
- If you have flooding in or around your gas meter or appliances, call Columbia Gas at 800-882-5454.
- Turn off electrical power to each appliance and leave it off.
What to do after the storm:
Columbia Gas advises customers that if you notice a strong gas odor, or if there is other evidence of a natural gas leak, do not enter the premises.
- If water levels were enough to cover the gas meter, call Columbia Gas to check your meter and regulator before using your gas system. Floodwaters may have shifted your home or caused other stresses to the gas piping, possibly resulting in a natural gas leak.
- As wet electrical wiring is extremely hazardous, ensure the main electrical supply is shut off. The appropriate municipal inspector must inspect all electrical wiring in buildings that have been partially or fully covered by floodwater before being put into service again. Any loose wires should be considered "live" and a definite hazard.
- If flooding has been severe, natural gas appliances should not be used until inspected by a licensed plumber or contractor.
- Do not attempt to place natural gas appliances back in service yourself. A licensed plumber or contractor will check, clean, repair and pressure test all gas pipes, which may have been clogged with mud or debris.
- Damage could also occur to switches, controls, thermostats, furnace heat exchangers, burner and pilot parts and rusting metals parts, to name a few. Again, any reconditioning or repair work to natural gas appliances must be performed by a licensed plumber or contractor.
- Reminder: prior to grinding tree stumps, removing fallen trees or digging around property, ALWAYS call Dig Safe at 811 after the storm to have underground utilities located.
How to restore service:
- Do not attempt to restore gas service yourself.
- Columbia Gas cannot restore natural gas service to your home or business until all appliances are repaired and safe to operate.
- All areas of the basement should be free of any standing water.
- Call Columbia Gas at 800-882-5454 to restore gas service.
If you smell a strong odor of natural gas:
- Leave the building immediately. Do not light matches, touch electrical switches or appliances or use your telephone – including your cell phone.
- From a safe location call 911 and Columbia Gas at 800-525-8222.
- Wait for a Columbia Gas representative to arrive before re-entering the building.
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