Atmos Energy : As Hurricane Ida Approaches, Atmos Energy Reiterates Severe Weather Safety Precautions

Atmos Energy continues to monitor and prepare for Hurricane Ida, and natural gas customers in the path of severe weather are advised to take steps that help ensure personal safety.

'Safety is at the center of everything we do, and we want you prepared to keep yourself and your family safe,' said John McDill, Atmos Energy vice president of pipeline safety. 'As Hurricane Ida strengthens, please remember not to turn off natural gas at the meter, even if evacuations are issued. If you experience an interruption in service, our essential workers will restore service once local conditions are deemed safe.'

If you suspect a natural gas leak, leave the area immediately! From a safe distance call 911 and Atmos Energy's 24-hour toll-free emergency number at 866.322.8667. Do not rely on your sense of smell alone to detect the presence of natural gas: use any of your senses -smell, listen or look-to check for telltale signs of a leak.

Atmos Energy service technicians are emergency responders who ensure the safe operation of its system, performing essential services in compliance with social distancing guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19. Whether it is a storm, flooding, or other severe weather events, please observe these tips to stay safe: 

• If flooding occurs at a residence or business and the gas appliances are underwater, do not try to operate the appliances. Instead, contact Atmos Energy or a qualified service professional to conduct a safety inspection.

• During a natural disaster or severe weather event DO NOTturn off natural gas at the meter, even if evacuations are issued.

• If you think you smell gas, immediately leave the affected area, and from a safe distance call 911 or Atmos Energy's 24-hour emergency response line at 1-866-322-8667.

• NEVERtry to find the source of a gas leak. 

• DO NOT use a mobile phone or anything that might cause a spark, such as a generator.

• If a natural gas meter is damaged or a gas line is exposed, immediately leave the area and call the Atmos Energy 24-hour emergency response line at 1-866-322-8667.

• Know where your natural gas meter is located. Make sure it's visible and free of trash and debris. Mechanical equipment used to clean up after a storm may damage the meter if it is hidden.

• Natural gas distribution pipelines are mostly underground but can be damaged by uprooted trees and shifted foundations. After a storm, call 811 to have the location of underground utility lines marked, as gas service lines could become tangled.

• Atmos Energy customers experiencing a natural gas outage or service interruption should contact the company's customer service number at 1-888-286-6700.  Customers will be restored as quickly as possible once the area is deemed safe.

For natural gas safety tips during severe weather, please visit www.atmosenergy.com/weathersafety.

About Atmos Energy

Atmos Energy Corporation, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the country's largest natural gas-only distributor. We safely deliver reliable, affordable, efficient and abundant natural gas to more than 3 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states located primarily in the South. As part of our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services, we are modernizing our business and infrastructure while continuing to invest in safety, innovation, environmental sustainability and our communities. Atmos Energy manages proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas.

Find us online at http://www.atmosenergy.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagramand YouTube.