Are you planning a spring landscaping or a backyard project? Remember to call 811 before you dig. The most common cause of outside natural gas leaks happen when digging accidentally damages underground pipelines—sometimes even from minor scrapes or dents.
Calling 811 is free, safe, and required by law. A quick call connects you to your local notification center, who will send professional locators to mark underground utility lines so you can dig safely.
As warm weather brings more outdoor projects, remember that what lies underground matters. Digging without knowing what’s below can lead to service disruptions, injuries, and costly repairs.
Know How to Recognize a Natural Gas Leak Knowing the signs of a natural gas leak is essential for keeping your home and neighborhood safe. You can detect leaking natural gas in a number of ways:
• Smell: A distinctive rotten egg or skunk-like odor that's added to make natural gas detectable
• Listen: Hissing or whistling sound near a gas appliance or roaring near a pipeline
• Look: Blowing dust, bubbling water, or dead/dying vegetation near a gas line
If You Think There's a Leak
• Leave the area immediately.
• Call 911 from a safe distance.
• Call Atmos Energy's 24-hour-toll-free emergency number 866.322.8667
Severe Weather Safety Tips
As spring arrives, so do increased risks of severe weather, such as thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding. Now is the perfect time to review storm safety tips so your home and family are prepared for whatever happens this spring.
Whether it is a hurricane, flooding, or other severe weather event, please observe these important safety tips. Always follow the safety instructions of local officials - ignoring evacuation orders can have dire consequences, including risk of injury or death.
Gas Appliances
Inspect your natural gas piping and appliances.* You are responsible for any natural gas piping on your property from our gas meter to your house or business. As the owner of your home's gas piping and appliances, it's your responsibility to schedule regular inspections and maintenance.**
To help keep your home safe and to improve energy efficiency, always operate and maintain your natural gas appliances according to the manufacturers' instructions.
If flooding occurs and gas appliances are underwater - including standby generators, do not try to operate the appliances. Instead, contact Atmos Energy or a qualified service professional to conduct a safety inspection.
Standby generators require available natural gas supply and may be inoperable depending on storm damage in your area.
Natural gas appliances and generators should be installed and maintained by a qualified professional. For your safety, operate your appliances according to manufacturer instructions.
*If you are purchasing metered gas from Atmos Energy for resale through a gas distribution pipeline system for tenants, you may be a master meter pursuant to the definition in 49 CFR 191.3 or state statute, which would subject your system to additional codes and standards. Contact your state natural gas regulator if you have any questions.
Gas Leak
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 866.322.8667.
NEVER try 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.
Gas Meter
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 866.322.8667.
During a natural disaster or severe weather event DO NOT turn off natural gas at the meter, even if evacuations are issued.
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.
Gas Outage
Atmos Energy customers experiencing a natural gas outage or service interruption should contact the company's customer service number at 888.286.6700. Service will be restored as quickly as possible once the area is deemed safe.
When natural gas service is ready to be restored, click here to learn what to expect.
Use all of your senses to detect a natural gas leak
SMELL the distinctive "rotten egg" or skunk-like odor that makes natural gas detectable.
LOOK for blowing dust, bubbling water, or dead vegetation near a gas line.
LISTEN for a hissing or whistling sound near a gas appliance or a roaring sound near a pipeline.
Smell gas? Act fast! If you suspect a leak, call 911 and Atmos Energy from a safe distance at our toll-free emergency number 866.322.8667. Atmos Energy will send a trained technician immediately to investigate at no cost. Do not assume someone else will report the leak.