Gas service restored to 1,000 customers on Charleston’s West Side
UPDATE 11/21/23 @ 11 p.m.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Gas on Charleston’s West Side has been restored to approximately 90 percent of the 46 miles of gas lines, according to Mountaineer Gas Company.
Officials report as of 3 p.m., about 1,000 customers have gas services restored after a high-pressure water main break infiltrated the gas distribution system in that area on Nov. 10.
However, the gas company says as natural gas is being restored to the main gas lines, meaning lines in the streets of the West Side, several hundred additional customers not previously reported as being affected by water in the mains have been identified.
The company’s Senior Vice President Moses Skaff could not give an exact count on “several hundred.”
The initial estimated customer outage count reported was based on the assessment of the proximity of the water in the mains at that time. Customer service lines will then need to be individually restored.
Individual customer restoration will begin once water has been purged from the main/service lines and gas safely restored.
Depending on the amount of water in the customers’ lines, each customer will have different restoration requirements.
Gas officials anticipate complete restoration of the main line will be done in four days.
Meantime, WSAZ crews spotted Mountaineer Gas crews in the parking lot of the Charleston newsroom and other spots around Charleston outside of the West Side. WSAZ’s Kimberly Donahue asked Skaff about what the crews were doing in those areas; he told Donahue he did not know.
West Virginia American Water told WSAZ last week a water main break happened Nov. 10 on the West Side but beyond that, the company only said it is “unable to provide comment regarding assumptions or speculation about how the gas outage may have occurred”.
Donahue asked West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice Tuesday on his stop at West Virginia Health Right if he believes West Virginia American Water should be helping Mountaineer Gas with restoration efforts.
“I hate to be throwing people under the bus but, in all honesty, American Water ought to be right here in the trenches trying to help everyone they possibly can help here,” Justice told Donahue. [But] being worried about the next lawsuit? Give me a blooming break. You got people who are really hurting, and we need everyone all hands on deck trying to help everyone right at this time.”
WSAZ’s Curtis Johnson reached out to West Virginia American Water earlier Tuesday asking what resources the company is contributing to restore natural gas service to residents on the West Side.
A spokesperson for the company told Johnson:
“West Virginia American Water has engaged with the City of Charleston and has and continues to support the restoration and recovery efforts on its emergency response. Unfortunately, West Virginia American Water is unable to assist with natural gas restoration; however, our crews continue to assist Mountaineer Gas with utility locates.”
Meanwhile, Justice told Donahue efforts will not stop until every customer has working heat.
“There’s no words I can say that will make it better right at this moment but I can tell them we’re coming and that everyone’s running to the fire and that’s the way it’s been out of the get-go. Thank goodness, we only have about 10 percent we still need to get to but we’ll stay at it until everyone’s done,” he said.
Mountaineer Gas Company has 51 crews working, with roughly 200 workers on the West Side.
Mountaineer Gas says crews will continue working through the week, including Thanksgiving Day.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Mountaineer Gas Company reported on Tuesday morning that gas service has been restored to roughly 905 customers following an incident that affected 46 miles of gas line.
Mountaineer Gas Company has 51 crews working, roughly 200 workers on the West Side.
Crews continue to purge water out of mains following a water line break that led to the massive gas outage.
Mountaineer Gas says crews will continue working through the week, including Thanksgiving Day.
United Way of Central WV has fielded a total of 756 calls, 34 texts, dozens of emails and nearly 200 walk-ins since Monday, November 13. Together, United Way and Bream Neighborhood SHOP have distributed nearly 800 heaters and over 2,000 blankets.
The United Way team is available at 304.340.3500 and 211 to troubleshoot any needs, including heaters, blankets, meal delivery, etc.
Bream Neighborhood SHOP is open Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for showers, heaters, blankets, and laundry.
The MLK, Jr and North Charleston Community Centers are open 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. for showers.
Comfort kits (toiletries) provided by the American Red Cross and blankets are available at the centers. Nearly 100 blankets and more than 70 comfort kits have been distributed through the centers.
The American Red Cross Appalachia Region, in collaboration with the Charleston Fire Department (CFD) went door-to-door yesterday to install smoke alarms.
CFD also had carbon monoxide detectors available for those who needed one. As a result of the door-to-door outreach, 90 people were served, 79 alarms installed, and 38 more homes were made safer– bringing the total to 199 people served.
Anyone needing a smoke alarm can call 304.340.3650 or visit www.bit.ly/FreeSmokeAlarms.
The Charleston Fire Department installed 16 carbon monoxide detectors during door-to-door outreach on Monday – bringing the total installations to 56.
Anyone needing a carbon monoxide detector can call the United Way of Central West Virginia at 304.340.3500 or call 211.
West Virginia Health Right has distributed 1,560 meals, 704 heaters, 460 electric blankets, 90 regular blankets, 459 cooking devices, and 113 hats/gloves.
Hot meals will be available at WVHR 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. and from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Supplies (blankets, heaters, cooking appliances) can be picked up from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. today and tomorrow.
Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.
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