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Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas Continue Repairs after Hurricane Ida.
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Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas Continue Repairs after Hurricane Ida.
Customers are advised to contact their utility or a qualified professional to address submerged meters and report suspected leaks.
Due to the severe weather caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida passing through portions of New Jersey last week, South Jersey Gas and Elizabethtown Gas have responded to several thousand emergency and service calls. We are asking the media to help us spread the word about reporting submerged gas meters and suspected gas leaks.
Hurricane Ida Response Summary
From 9/1 through 9/6, the Elizabethtown Gas received 2,633 calls, including 996 calls for leaks and emergencies. Field crews made more than a half dozen gas main washouts safe, with zero motor vehicle accidents and zero injuries.
Due to a tornado passing through parts of Southern New Jersey, South Jersey Gas had 108 work orders, including 18 emergency calls and 27 severely damaged homes that required service shutoffs.
In recent years, Elizabethtown Gas and South Jersey Gas collectively replaced more than a thousand miles of vintage pipelines and installed approximately 300,000 excess flow valves (EFVs) as part of our infrastructure enhancement programs. These improvements were instrumental in preventing greater loss of service, and in several instances EFVs played an important safety role by automatically shutting off gas service to damaged homes.
Submerged Meters Must be Replaced
As our crews continue to survey our service areas for damage, we appreciate everyone’s help spreading the word that if a natural gas meter was submerged by flood water, the meter will need to be changed.
Elizabethtown Gas is performing safety checks to known impacted areas and may need to interrupt service. Customers should contact Elizabethtown Gas Company at (800) 242-5830 to restore gas service once the natural gas meter and appliances are accessible and clear of debris.
If appliances were flooded because of Hurricane Ida, it is advised to contact a qualified plumber or contractor to inspect the appliances. After the inspection has been completed, customers should contact Elizabethtown Gas to restore gas services.
We are working diligently to ensure the safety of all customers, however as a result of call volume, wait times may be higher than normal.
Reporting Suspected Gas Leaks
While crews continue to survey for leaks and restore natural gas service, we want to remind everyone how to recognize and what to do if you suspect a gas leak:
SMELL - Rotten eggs.
LOOK - Bubbling water, blowing dirt, dead or discolored plants or grass, frozen ground in warm areas.
LISTEN - Quiet blowing, hissing, loud roar.
EVACUATE the area immediately.
DON’T use any electric switches, cell phones, matches, doorbells, motor vehicles or electrical equipment until evacuated from the area.
CALL 911 first, then call the gas company.
CALL the South Jersey Gas or Elizabethtown Gas Leak Hotline once you’re in a safe place, away from the area of the suspected leak. Stay away until emergency personnel indicate it is safe to return.
South Jersey Gas Leak Hotline: 1.800.582.7060
Elizabethtown Gas Leak Hotline: 1.800.492.4009
Learn more at southjerseygas.com/safety or elizabethtowngas.com/safety