Utility encourages customers to have a plan ready for before, during and after a storm
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, and Peoples Gas works year-round to be ready. As Florida’s largest natural gas distribution company, the company is prepared to respond if a major storm should impact the state. As part of its preparedness plan, Peoples Gas utilizes the Incident Command System (ICS) structure, and employees actively participate in annual drills and exercises. The team works with suppliers to ensure adequate emergency response supplies are available statewide. And the company makes investments in state-of-the-art technology to monitor the safety and status of the natural gas system 24 hours a day.
Peoples Gas urges all of its customers across Florida to have a personal storm plan in place for their home or business.
Before a storm: Be prepared
Now is the time to assemble storm kits and review important paperwork. Visit PeoplesGas.com/StormSafety and follow Peoples Gas on Facebook and Twitter for tips, restoration information and additional guidance.
During a storm: Leave gas service on
Natural gas service will likely operate uninterrupted throughout the storm. Customers should leave their natural gas service on, even in the event of an evacuation. Leaving natural gas meters on helps to maintain proper pressure in the gas piping within homes or businesses, and can prevent water from entering the lines should flooding occur.
Customers may choose to turn off gas to individual appliances at the supply valve near each unit. Most natural gas appliances have safety valves that will shut off the flow of natural gas automatically if the pilot light goes out. The valve at the main meter should be turned on or off only by qualified Peoples Gas representatives or emergency personnel.
If at any time residents smell a rotten egg or sulfur-like odor, there could be damage to a natural gas line or a natural gas leak. Immediately move to safety and call 911, then call Peoples Gas at 877-832-6747. Emergency calls are answered 24/7/365. Please note that Peoples Gas employees will be dispatched when sustained wind speeds are below 40 mph.
Other helpful tips:
- Before evacuating, please first review the evacuation route information on the Florida Division of Emergency Management Web site (FloridaDisaster.org). Roads may be closed to facilitate better traffic flow.
- Make plans for pets as they are extremely vulnerable and are not allowed at most shelters.
- Have a functioning battery powered radio to monitor emergency information.
- Remember to use portable generators safely. Portable generators must not be taken into homes or any enclosed space (like a garage) where deadly carbon monoxide gases could build up. Plug appliances directly into the generator. DO NOT connect portable generators into a home’s circuits. Connecting a generator to the circuits may cause power to flow to outside lines, posing life-threatening danger to restoration crews.
After a storm
After severe weather, it is common for property to sustain damage from fallen trees. Residents and business owners are reminded to call 811 to have underground utilities marked for free before digging up tree roots or making repairs. Calling 811 two business days before digging gives utilities enough time to mark the area with flags or paint, making it easier to dig safely.
Peoples Gas System Inc., Florida’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serves nearly 470,000 homes and businesses across the state. The company’s mission is to make life better for communities by delivering safe, resilient, efficient and affordable natural gas energy solutions. Through investments in people, technology, infrastructure and environmentally focused innovations, the company is committed to fueling Florida’s clean energy future responsibly and sustainably. Peoples Gas is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. To learn more about the benefits of natural gas for Florida, visit FloridasEnergy.com. Find more information about the company, its culture, career opportunities and community investments at PeoplesGas.com.
