Thousands remain without gas in Lee County after an Atmos Energy crew accidentally released high-pressure gas on Wednesday morning, injuring three contractors.
The accident occurred during routine work on a gas pipeline near Highway 6 and County Road 660 in Tupeloi. Atmos Energy home and business customers in Belden, Guntown, Plantersville, Pontotoc, Saltillo, Shannon, Tupelo, and Verona were left without gas service..
In a press release, Atmos Energy reassured customers that restoration is underway, but cannot say when it’ll be done.
“Over the past 24 hours, Atmos Energy’s technicians have been going door-to-door to turn off the gas at each customer’s meter. We are also in the process of completing repairs to the upstream gas supply system. We will then begin taking steps to safely restore service to customers.” the release said. “During the restoration process, Atmos Energy crews will again go door-to-door to safely restore gas service and relight appliances.”
An adult who is living in the home or a representative of the business has to be there while service is restored to the building.
Ronald Burch lives 13 miles from the accident. “Personally, the two big inconveniences are no hot water and the fact that an adult has to be home when Atmos finally comes,” he said. “It would help to have some kind of timeline.”
Tupelo Mayor Todd Jordan, released a statement saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured workers and their families and we pray for their complete recovery. I want to state that we will do everything in our power to assist Atmos Energy in getting natural gas service restored to our area.”
This isn’t Atmos Energy’s first gas-related accident in Mississippi. Last year, two natural gas explosions in different Jackson homes left one woman dead. Both homes got their gas from Atmos Energy.
The National Transportation Safety Board launched a federal investigation into the explosions. They found that there were natural gas leaks in both homes months before the explosions. Atmos Energy technicians classified them as non-hazardous.
Customers can find updates here. Atmos’ customer service line is 888.286.6700 and is open Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 6:00pm. If there is a gas leak, call 911 immediately and then Atmos’ emergency number, 866.322.8667.
