MIAMI, Sept. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- While the Florida City Gas service territory is now clear of historic Hurricane Irma, we continue to implement our comprehensive emergency response plan and are currently conducting assessments of our natural gas system. The safety of the community and our employees is our highest priority and we will respond to leak and emergency calls as timely as possible.

During this time, Florida City Gas is reminding customers to remain safe as they return to their homes and begin clean up activities. We are providing the following guidelines associated with natural gas safety:

Restoring Natural Gas Service

• If customers are without natural gas service, they should not attempt to restore it themselves.  The storm may have caused damage to the meter, natural gas line or appliances, which may create hazardous conditions if restored without the proper safety checks and procedures. Florida City Gas personnel will work safely and efficiently to respond to customers as soon as possible.

Damage Prevention

• Strong winds and saturated grounds caused trees to become uprooted. Before removing downed trees, customers should dial 8-1-1 to have the location of underground utility lines marked as downed trees could become tangled with the natural gas lines.

Detecting Natural Gas Leaks

• If customers smell the rotten egg odor that is often associated with natural gas, they should immediately leave the affected area and from a safe location call 911 then the 24-hour emergency response line at 888.352.5325.
• If a natural gas meter is damaged or gas line is exposed, immediately leave the area and call 911.

Appliance Safety

• If flooding has occurred at a residence or business and the gas appliances are under water, customers are advised not to operate their appliances until a safety check by a certified natural gas contractor/HVAC technician is conducted.

About Florida City Gas

Florida City Gas is one of seven natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Florida City Gas serves approximately 108,000 residential and commercial natural gas customers in Florida's Miami-Dade, Brevard, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. For more information, visit floridacitygas.com.

About Southern Company Gas

Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America's premier energy company.  Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.6 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in seven states and more than 1 million retail customers through its companies that market natural gas and related home services. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit Southern Company Gas at southerncompanygas.com.

SOURCE Florida City Gas