(WGHP) — Piedmont Natural Gas is warning customers to be ready in case Tropical Storm Debby impacts natural gas equipment and appliances.
“Flooding is often the greatest risk to natural gas equipment and appliances after a storm,” said Piedmont Natural Gas Chief Operations Officer Adam Long. “Knowing the signs to watch for and how to respond can help our customers and communities remain safe.”
In a release on Tuesday, Duke Energy-subsidiary PNG said that crews will respond to any flooded neighborhoods to inspect natural gas meters to see if any are submerged. If a meter is submerged, PNG will turn off natural gas service and remove the meter. Before service can be restored, customers will need to have their natural gas appliances inspected by PNG or a licensed contractor.
Customers are encouraged to call PNG at (800) 752-7504 if it appears that a meter or any natural gas appliances have been damaged by water or a natural gas line has been damaged by uprooted trees or wind.
Do not try to disconnect or work on your natural gas meter. PNG specifically adds that customers should not try to clear flood debris from meters or natural gas appliances, including water heaters, or try to relight natural gas appliances.
If you smell the distinct rotten eggs scent of natural gas and suspect there may be a gas leak, PNG encourages customers to first leave the premises. Do not use a cell phone or anything electrical that can cause a spark inside your home. Only once you are outside of and away from the spell of natural gas should you use a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone to call Piedmont Natural Gas at (800) 752-7504 or dial 911.
FOX8 Meteorologist Emily Byrd forecasts Tropical Storm Debby to do an about-face off the South Carolina coast Wednesday, and, by Thursday morning, it will be moving to the northwest, coming inland along the South Carolina coast.
Starting Wednesday at 9 a.m., a Flood Watch will go into effect for Alamance, Chatham, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery and Randolph counties, and it will remain in effect until 9 p.m. Friday.
Rains from Debby are expected to be heavy and prolonged across portions of central and eastern North Carolina, bringing a high risk of flooding and/or flash flooding.
By this weekend, the center of Debby should be accelerating to the north and northeast, leaving us with warm, sunny skies as early as Saturday afternoon, Byrd said.
