Piedmont Natural Gas monitoring areas following Tropical Storm Debby; customers notified of flood-related equipment damage

CHARLOTTE, NC, 9 August 2024 /PRNewswire/ – As Tropical Storm Debby passes through the Carolinas, Piedmont Natural Gas is closely monitoring for damage from heavy rains and flooding. Piedmont Once conditions are safe and floodwaters recede, emergency crews will search flood-affected areas and inspect natural gas meters for signs of flooding.

“Piedmont is taking the necessary steps to ensure that our customers can safely operate their natural gas systems and equipment after Debby,” said Adam LongOperations Manager, Piedmont Natural Gas.

“Flooded natural gas facilities and equipment can be dangerous, so our crews will inspect the equipment as quickly as possible,” Long said. “The safety of our customers and employees is always our top priority.”

Any natural gas meter believed to have been even partially submerged will be removed and the natural gas service to the home or business will be shut off. Customers whose natural gas service has been shut off will be notified and natural gas appliances in the home or business will need to be inspected by a licensed contractor to ensure safe operation before service can be restored. Customers are advised that appliances may need to be replaced if an inspection reveals they have been damaged by floodwater and are no longer operating safely.

Piedmont The safety webpage at piedmontng.com/severe-weather provides comprehensive safety information, including the following tips for residents affected by flooding:

If water enters your home:

• Do not attempt to disconnect your natural gas meter or work on or near it.
• Do not attempt to relight any of your natural gas appliances. Call Piedmont at 800.752.7504 so we can inspect your meter and natural gas appliances for possible damage.
• Do not attempt to remove flood residue from your natural gas meter or other natural gas appliances, including your water heater. Call Piedmont for an assessment.
• Never use outdoor appliances indoors for cooking or heating. This includes natural gas grills, generators, etc.

If your natural gas appliances have been damaged by water:

• Natural gas appliances damaged by water may need to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions.
• When selecting a contractor to repair or replace your natural gas appliances, make sure the contractor is licensed, committed to safety, and follows all manufacturer safety guidelines.
• To repair or replace damaged equipment, you may choose to work with Piedmont Natural Gas, one of our authorized Gas Advantage dealers, or another approved contractor.
• View a list of Piedmont Gas Advantage dealers.
• Please note that unauthorized repairs may be unsafe and may void your warranty according to manufacturer guidelines.
• If you are unsure whether the work being carried out is an approved repair, contact the manufacturer of your appliance.

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 another location where there is no smell of natural gas.
• DO NOT use electrical devices that can produce sparks, including mobile phones.
• 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 emergency services have declared the area safe.
• DO NOT attempt to operate pipeline valves yourself. You may inadvertently cause greater hazards or additional damage.
• DO NOT attempt to extinguish a natural gas fire.

Wind damage:

• If you see or suspect damage to natural gas lines or facilities from uprooted trees or wind damage, call Piedmont Natural Gas at 800.752.7504 or 911.

Call 811 before you dig:

• Before removing uprooted trees, rebuilding storm-damaged buildings, or digging anywhere on your property, call 811 to have your natural gas lines located and marked for free.

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 ranked first in customer satisfaction with residential natural gas service in the South among major utilities, according to the JD Power 2023 U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study. For more information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: ÞjórsárdenFacebook.

Contact: Zach Vavricka
24 hours: 877.348.3612

Source: Piedmont Natural Gas