Natural Gas Safety During Atlanta’s 2024 Hurricane Season

ATLANTA — National weather officials have predicted a busy and active 2024 hurricane season in the Atlantic. The season officially began on Saturday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts between 17 and 25 named storms, while the average number is 14.

Although it was a relatively quiet season for the weekend, Atlanta Gas Light wants to encourage residents with natural gas to stay prepared.

Here’s what the company recommends residents do:

• After a storm, residents should make sure their gas meter is not damaged. If this is the case or the gas line is exposed, leave the area and call 911 or Atlanta Gas Light’s 24-hour emergency response line at 1-877-427-4321.
• Never try to cut off your gas supply at the meter; let an Atlanta Gas Light professional turn the valve on and off.
• To prevent damage, you can contact Georgia 811 to request that underground power lines be marked so crews know where they are in case tree roots become entangled with them.
• To detect a gas leak, you might smell a distinctive rotten egg odor; if so, leave the area immediately. You can also look for discolored vegetation or bubbles in standing water.
• Authorities are asking residents to never attempt to identify the source of the leak or stop it on their own.
• Residents should also avoid using any sources of ignition, including cell phones, cigarettes, etc.
• Residents should also practice the safety of natural gas home generators by never using them in an enclosed space, never plugging them into a wall outlet, and never plugging appliances directly into the generator.

For more information on natural gas safety, residents should click here.

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