Atlanta Gas Light returns to normal field operations in all southeast Georgia service areas after assessments determined Hurricane Dorian did not cause impacts to the natural gas infrastructure.

As cleanup activities continue following the storm, the company reminds customers and the general public to follow guidelines associated with natural gas safety:

Appliance Safety

Customers are advised to leave their natural gas service operational during a hurricane or severe storm. Most modern gas appliances have safety valves that shut off the flow of natural gas automatically with a loss of gas pressure or flooding of the appliances.

Leaving appliances operational could prevent further damage of water getting into the customer’s fuel line or appliance control valves.

Electronic ignition appliances will not come on when the power source has been impacted.

Turning the water heater to its lowest hot water setting is the best option.

If you are uncomfortable leaving your appliances operational, contact a trained professional (certified plumber or HVAC representative) to shut off your appliances at the cutoff valves. When it is safe to do so, have them return to turn the valves back on, leak test the line and turn on and test the appliance for safe operation.

If flooding occurs at a residence or business and the gas appliances are under water, customers are advised not to operate their appliances until a safety inspection is conducted by a certified plumber or HVAC representative.

Detecting Gas Leaks

If customers smell the distinctive rotten-egg odor associated with natural gas, they should leave the area immediately and move a safe distance away from the potential leak, while avoiding any action that may cause sparks.

Look for blowing dirt, discolored vegetation or continued bubbling in standing water.

Customers should never try to identify the source of a leak or stop the leak themselves.

Avoid using any sources of ignition, such as cell phones, cigarettes, matches, flashlights, electronic devices, motorized vehicles, light switches or landlines, as natural gas can ignite from a spark or open flame, possibly causing a fire or explosion.

Customers should call the Atlanta Gas Light 24-hour emergency response line at 1.877.427.4321 or 911 once they are out of the area of the suspected leak and in a safe place. They should also stay away until Atlanta Gas Light or emergency personnel indicates it is safe to return.

Damage Prevention

Strong winds and saturated ground could cause trees to become uprooted. Before removing downed trees, customers should contact Georgia 811 by calling 811 to have the location of underground utility lines marked because downed trees could become tangled with the natural gas lines.

If a natural gas meter is damaged or natural gas line is exposed, customers should immediately leave the area and call the Atlanta Gas Light 24-hour emergency response line at 1.877.427.4321 or 911 from a safe location.