Columbia Gas of Ohio Offers Tips In the Wake of Flooding Across Northwest Ohio
With severe flooding across much of the Toledo-area, Columbia Gas of
Ohio offers several tips to ensure safety for those with natural gas
appliances:
Following a flood:
· If flooding has already occurred, and if you hear gas escaping,
smell gas in multiple rooms, or smell gas inside or outside of the
premises, leave the area, and call Columbia Gas immediately at
1-800-344-4077 and 911.
· 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 natural gas piping.
· Never attempt to place natural gas appliances back in service. A
licensed plumber or contractor will check, clean, repair and
pressure test all gas pipes, which may have been clogged with mud
or debris.
Columbia Gas customers that notice a strong gas odor, or if there is
other evidence of a natural gas leak:
· Do not enter the premises. If you smell the odor of natural gas
inside your home, please leave immediately.
· As a precaution, do not smoke, make a spark or flame, switch the
lights on/off or raise/lower the windows.
· Call the 24-hour emergency number for Columbia Gas of Ohio at
1-800-344-4077 and 911, from nearby.
· Stay nearby until a Columbia Gas representative arrives, or leave
a note on you door stating where you can be reached.
· Don’t return until you get the all-clear indication that all is
safe.
In order to have service restored, areas in and around the affected
units must provide a safe and healthy working environment for Columbia Gas
representatives. This includes:
· Clear, safe access to the appliance
· Removal of water from the basement
· Cleaning of debris from each appliance, including the burner,
pilot tubing and assembly.
As a reminder: Do not attempt to restore your service. Natural gas
service must be restored by Columbia Gas.
Customers may call the Columbia Gas emergency phone number at
1-800-344-4077 to report an emergency or schedule an appointment to have
service restored.
Columbia Gas of Ohio
Columbia Gas of Ohio delivers clean, affordable and efficient natural gas
to approximately 1.4 million customers across the state. With headquarters
in Columbus, Ohio, it is the largest natural gas utility in Ohio and one of
NiSource’s seven regulated utility companies. NiSource (NYSE: NI) is one of
the largest fully-regulated utility companies in the United States, serving
approximately 3.5 million natural gas customers and 500,000 electric
customers across seven states through its local Columbia Gas and NIPSCO
brands. More information about Columbia Gas of Ohio and NiSource is
available at www.ColumbiaGasOhio.com and www.nisource.com. For information
about natural gas safety and what to do if you suspect a gas leak, go to:
www.safegasohio.org.
