The Oakdale water main contractor (FDM) struck a two-inch gas main at Oakdale and Elm Park this morning. If you are smelling gas in the air, this is why. Natural gas service will be temporarily shut off to addresses connected to the affected section of gas main. Consumers Energy, Pleasant Ridge Police, and Ferndale Fire are on-site.
UPDATE (3:20 pm, Friday May 9): Consumers has repaired the gas main. No customers lost service, so no re-lighting of pilot lights is necessary. This issue is thankfully resolved.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Estimated restoration time: TBD, pending repairs. Ideally by the evening of Friday, May 9.
- Affected area: Oakdale and Elm Park
- Reason: Gas main damaged during Oakdale water main construction.
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Consumers has been able to shut down the gas main and tested the houses in the affected area. There is no gas buildup detected inside any homes and residents that were evacuated may return home. Please do not park in the barricaded area while work is being done.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Gas appliances will not function during the outage. These most commonly include furnaces, hot water heaters, and stoves.
- Crews will be working in the area. You may see utility and public safety vehicles in the area.
- Once repairs are completed, Consumers Energy personnel will visit each property to safely restore gas service and relight pilot lights.
- If you are not home at the time of restoration, Consumers will leave a door tag describing how to schedule a re-light with them.
The location of the gas main may have been mismarked in the field, leading to it being damaged during water main construction. Consumers and FDM are working to determine how this incident happened.
