Natural gas service disrupted at Florence
A northbound semi-trailer truck overturned and slid down an embankment on U.S. 77 just north of Florence at 3:30 p.m. Thursday and punctured the main gas line serving the Florence community. Traffic at the scene was held up for a short time, then was diverted while a crew from Atmos Gas Company emptied the line and made repairs.
"We shut down the transmission line," said Randy Dallke, an Atmos employee from Peabody.
Atmos employees from the surrounding area were brought in to assist. Employees from Andover, Independence, Yates Center, Caldwell, Anthony, Herington, and Council Grove spent the night in Florence as well as the Atmos crews from Peabody, Marion, and Hillsboro.
"There were about 18 workers here," said Dallke. "They went door to door in Florence shutting off meters to each business and residence. We repaired the lead, fixed the line, and then purged the line from the Williams tap to the city limits, and then several of the lines in the city."
"After that," he added, "the workers went door to door again to open meters, re-light pilot lights, and make sure there were no problems for any of the residents."
The repairs to the gas line were finished and the gas turned back on about 12:30 a.m.
If no one was home, or if the residents were asleep, the crews left a blue tag on the door with phone numbers to call for assistance Friday morning. The company still had employees in town working with residents on Friday.
"As of now, about 24 hours after the break, we have taken care of just about everyone," Dallke said. "There are about 12 or 15 we haven't been able to contact. Either they are gone or it is an absentee owner situation and we haven't been able to contact them."
Dallke added that the community was patient and helpful. "Atmos Energy really did appreciate the city employees and other volunteers who offered their assistance." He also praised the generous employees at Johnson's General Store who provided food and drinks.
"It was a night of inconvenience for all 325 households in Florence, but people were still willing to help and we appreciate everyone of them."
