CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 9, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- As Tropical Storm Debby moves beyond the Carolinas,
Piedmont Natural Gas is closely monitoring for damages caused by
heavy rains and flooding. Piedmont
crews will canvass flood-impacted areas to inspect natural gas
meters for signs of submersion as conditions become safe and
floodwaters recede.
"Piedmont is taking the
necessary steps to make sure our customers can safely operate their
natural gas equipment and appliances in the aftermath of Debby,"
said Adam Long, Piedmont Natural Gas
chief operations officer.
"Flooded natural gas equipment and appliances can pose a hazard,
which is why our crews will be inspecting equipment as quickly as
it's safe to do so," Long said. "The safety of our customers and
employees will always be our top priority."
Any natural gas meter believed to have been even partially
submerged will be removed, and natural gas service to the home or
business will be turned off. Customers whose natural gas service is
turned off will be notified, and natural gas appliances in the home
or business will need to be inspected for safe operation by a
licensed contractor before service can be restored. Customers are
advised that appliances may need to be replaced if an inspection
finds they have been damaged by floodwaters and cannot operate
safely.
Piedmont's safety webpage,
available at piedmontng.com/severe-weather, offers
comprehensive safety information, including the following tips for
residents affected by flooding:
If water enters your home:
- Do not attempt to disconnect or work on or around your natural
gas meter.
- Do not attempt to relight any of your natural gas appliances.
Call Piedmont at 800.752.7504 so we can inspect your
meter and your natural gas appliances for possible damage.
- Do not attempt to clear flood debris from your natural gas
meter or from any other natural gas appliance, including your water
heater. Call Piedmont for an assessment.
- Never use outdoor equipment indoors for cooking or heating.
This includes natural gas grills, generators, etc.
If your natural gas appliances are damaged by water:
- Natural gas appliances damaged by water may need to be replaced
according to manufacturer guidelines and instructions.
- When choosing a contractor for repair or replacement of your
natural gas appliances, make sure the contractor is licensed,
committed to safety and follows all manufacturer safety
guidelines.
- You can choose to work with Piedmont Natural Gas, one of our
approved Gas Advantage Dealers, or any other licensed contractor to
repair or replace damaged appliances.
- View a list of Piedmont's Gas Advantage
Dealers.
- Note that unauthorized repairs can be unsafe and may void your
warranty according to manufacturer guidelines.
- Call your appliance manufacturer if you are unsure that the
work being performed is an approved repair.
If you suspect a natural gas leak (natural gas smells like
rotten eggs):
- Leave the premises immediately.
- Call Piedmont Natural Gas at 800.752.7504 or dial 911.
-
- Call from a neighbor's house or from another location far from
the smell of natural gas.
- DO NOT use anything electrical that may create a spark;
this includes cellphones.
- DO NOT operate any light switches.
- DO NOT light a match.
- DO NOT attempt to locate the source of the leak.
- DO NOT attempt to stop the leak.
- DO NOT return to the area until Piedmont Natural Gas or
the emergency services have declared the area safe.
- DO NOT attempt to operate pipeline valves yourself. You may
inadvertently cause more danger or additional damage.
- DO NOT attempt to extinguish a natural gas fire.
Wind-related damage:
- If you see or suspect damage to natural gas lines or facilities
due to uprooted trees or wind-related damage, call Piedmont Natural
Gas at 800.752.7504 or call 911.
Call 811 before you dig:
- Call 811 to have your natural gas lines located and marked (for
free) before you remove uprooted trees, rebuild storm-damaged
structures or dig anywhere on your property.
Customers with immediate questions or concerns should call
Piedmont Natural Gas at 800.752.7504.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK),
distributes natural gas to more than 1.2 million residential,
commercial, industrial and power generation customers in
North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Piedmont Natural Gas earned the No.
1 spot in customer satisfaction with residential natural gas
service in the South among large utilities, according to
the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer
Satisfaction Study. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow
Piedmont Natural Gas: Twitter, Facebook.
Contact: Zach Vavricka
24-Hour: 877.348.3612
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/piedmont-natural-gas-monitoring-areas-impacted-by-tropical-storm-debby-advises-customers-on-flood-related-equipment-damage-302218843.html
SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas