CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Piedmont
Natural Gas today advised customers that Piedmont crews will be canvassing
neighborhoods in flood impacted areas to inspect natural gas meters
for signs of submersion from flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew.
Any meter believed to have been submerged will be removed and
natural gas service to the home or business will be turned off.
Customers whose natural gas service is turned off will be
notified, and natural gas appliances in the home or business will
need to be inspected for safe operation by a licensed contractor
before service can be restored. Customers are advised that
appliances may need to be replaced if an inspection finds they have
been damaged by flood waters and cannot operate safely.
"Safety continues to be our top priority as we deal with the
aftermath of hurricane Matthew," said Frank
Yoho, executive vice president and president, natural gas
business for Piedmont Natural Gas. "Although our natural gas
pipeline delivery system was relatively undamaged by the storm, we
know many of our customers in eastern North Carolina and South Carolina are dealing with incredible
destruction and loss of property. The continued safe and reliable
operation of our natural gas system is an important piece in
helping our customers and the communities we serve in these areas
to recover and rebuild."
To help ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of
natural gas service to customers and communities impacted by
Matthew, Piedmont asks anyone
affected by the storm to please follow these guidelines:
If water has entered your home:
- Do not attempt to disconnect or work on or around your natural
gas meter
- Do not attempt to relight any of your natural gas appliances.
Call Piedmont at 1.800.752.7504 so
we can inspect your meter and your natural gas appliances for
possible damage
- Do not attempt to clear flood debris from your natural gas
meter or from any other natural gas appliance, including your water
heater. Call Piedmont for an
assessment
- Never use outdoor equipment indoors for cooking or heating.
This includes natural gas grills, generators, etc.
If your natural gas appliances are damaged by water:
- Natural gas appliances damaged by water may need to be replaced
according to manufacturer guidelines and instructions
- When choosing a contractor for repair or replacement of your
natural gas appliances, make sure the contractor is licensed,
committed to safety and follows all manufacturer safety
guidelines
- You can choose to work with Piedmont Natural Gas, one of our
approved Gas Advantage Dealers, or any other licensed contractor to
repair or replace damaged appliances
- For a list of Piedmont's Gas
Advantage Dealers, go to www.piedmontng.com
- Note that unauthorized repairs can be unsafe and may void your
warranty according to manufacturer guidelines
- Call your appliance manufacturer if you are unsure that the
work being performed is an approved repair
If you suspect a natural gas leak (natural gas smells like
rotten eggs):
- Leave the area immediately
- After leaving the area, call Piedmont at1.800.752.7504 or call 911
- Call from a neighbor's house or from another location far from
the smell of natural gas
- DO NOT use anything electrical that may create a spark; this
includes cell phones
- DO NOT operate any light switches
- DO NOT light a match
- DO NOT attempt to locate the source of a leak
- DO NOT attempt to stop a leak
- DO NOT return to the area until Piedmont Natural Gas or the
emergency services have declared the area safe
- DO NOT attempt to operate pipeline valves yourself. You may
inadvertently cause more danger or additional damage
- DO NOT attempt to extinguish a natural gas fire
Customers with immediate questions or concerns should call
Piedmont Natural Gas at 1.800.752.7504. Additionally, customers can
also visit the company's website at www.piedmontng.com for
additional information and storm related updates.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, is an energy
services company primarily engaged in the distribution of natural
gas to more than 1 million residential, commercial, industrial and
power generation customers in portions of North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, including customers served by
municipalities who are wholesale customers. Its subsidiaries are
invested in joint venture, energy-related businesses, including
unregulated retail natural gas marketing, regulated interstate
natural gas transportation and storage, and regulated intrastate
natural gas transportation businesses. More information about
Piedmont Natural Gas is available at www.piedmontng.com.
Headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More
information about the company is available at
duke-energy.com.
The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for
journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and
videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online
destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and
community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into
the past and insights into the future of energy.
Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and
Facebook.
Media
Contacts
|
David
Trusty
|
Loree
Elswick
|
Piedmont Natural
Gas
|
Piedmont Natural
Gas
|
(704)
731-4391
|
(704)
731-4236
|
david.trusty@duke-energy.com
|
loree.elswick@duke-energy.com
|
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161019/430345LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/piedmont-natural-gas-advises-customers-on-storm-related-damage-to-meters-and-appliances-300347558.html
SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas