Atmos Energy has more than 350,000 customers in Louisiana and crews are out in force to determine the extent of damage to facilities and make repairs.
Although most natural gas facilities are underground, some have been damaged by trees that were uprooted from the strong winds. Even if a tree hasn't been toppled"”but was moved by the winds"”people should be alert.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people who have been affected by this massive storm," said Tom Hawkins, president of Atmos Energy's Louisiana division. "Our priorities are providing safe and reliable service to the communities we serve, and we are diligently working to handle the emergency situations that have arisen with Hurricane Gustav. For the few customers without service, we are working to restore their service as quickly as possible."
If anyone smells natural gas or suspects a leak:
- LEAVE the area IMMEDIATELY and tell others to do so too.
- CALL ATMOS ENERGY from a safe distance at our toll-free emergency number 866-EC-ATMOS (1-866-322-8667) or call 9-1-1.
- DO NOT turn any lights on or off, smoke, use a phone, or operate any vehicle or equipment that could cause sparks.
- DO NOT attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off.
Atmos Energy will send a trained service technician immediately to investigate any emergency leak call.
Atmos Energy crews have responded to numerous emergency calls, mostly in the coastal parishes along and south of the I-10 corridor. Service has been maintained throughout the Atmos Energy system with the exception of a few individual customers and the town of White Castle, in Iberville Parish, where Atmos serves approximately 90 customers. Service to White Castle customers should be completed by the end of the day on Thursday.
Fortunately, damage from Hurricane Gustav and the remaining storm appears to be less than damage from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As more residents return to their neighborhoods, Atmos Energy expects additional calls and crews are working extended shifts to meet the needs of customers.
Atmos Energy will continue to communicate with customers in the areas hit by Hurricane Gustav and provide updates as service is restored to normal.
Customers may also call our 24-hour Customer Contact Center at 888-ATMOS-00 or 888-286-6700.
About Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, is the country's largest natural-gas-only distributor, serving about 3.2 million natural gas distribution customers in more than 1,600 communities in 12 states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy also provides natural gas marketing and procurement services to industrial, commercial and municipal customers primarily in the Midwest and Southeast and manages company-owned natural gas pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Atmos Energy is a Fortune 500 company. For more information, visit www.atmosenergy.com.