Hertford gas leak evacuees may have to wait until ‘late next week’ to return to area

HERTFORD, N.C. (WAVY) — Crews are still working to fix the damage caused to the Town of Hertford’s main gas line, and it appears the remaining evacuated residents and businesses may not be able to return until late next week.

A statement released by Piedmont Natural Gas and Perquimans County Emergency Services Monday said crews had completed the hydro testing and confirmed the strength and integrity of the newly built line.

On Monday, Piedmont Natural Gas was able to install the new bypass line. Tuesday’s work will include connecting the new line to the existing natural gas transmission infrastructure.

“We continue to anticipate the repair will be complete by the end of the week, perhaps as early as Thursday,” the statement said.

The incident happened the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 8, when the Hertford Police Department issued an alert about the rupture.

Tammie McGee, a spokesperson for Piedmont Natural Gas, said an NCDOT contractor struck the line while doing construction at the Wynne Fork Road Bridge.

10 On Your Side confirmed construction crews were working on the new bridge and were driving pilings around 9 a.m. when they ruptured the major transmission line.

S.T. Wooten construction of Wilson, N.C. was the contractor on the bridge replacement job for NCDOT. 10 On Your Side has reached out to the company for comment and will post any response.

According to NCDOT, construction on the bridge replacement began in August and was slated for completion in late April. It’s unclear how the incident will affect that timeline.

The bridge replacement project was originally set to begin in November 2018. Ironically, it was delayed until late Summer 2020 to allow for multiple studies to be completed that would ensure that the driving of construction piles would not endanger the Piedmont gas line.

According to NCDOT, the studies found that the piles would be set no closer than seven feet from the line.

Three piles were driven without incident. During the work to set the fourth and final pile, Wooten workers struck the gas line, according to NCDOT.

The 10-inch natural gas transmission line serves about 2,500 customers from the Hertford area to Elizabeth City, terminating at the coast. Piedmont says customers have not lost natural gas service, and the system is operating safely. The company has offered to pay for hotel rooms for those who want them.

When the rupture initially happened, first responders evacuated the immediate area and residents in nearby neighborhoods who needed to evacuate were contacted directly by either police or fire officials.

Among them were Jim and Francine Jones, who live at the corner of Wynne Fork and Edenton Roads. They got a knock on their door Tuesday morning.

“We have family in Virginia, so we will probably go spend a couple days with them till we find out that we can get back in here,” Jim Jones said.

They say they had to sneak back in to get some necessary items.

“We have medical equipment, CPAP‘s and stuff that we really need,” Francine Jones said. “And a few changes of clothes, dog food, things like that.”

For those who didn’t have a place to go, a temporary evacuation shelter was set up for them. Tuesday night, residents of Gaston Drive were allowed to return home. Anyone living in the area closest to the bridge were given hotels for the night.

BELOW: Chopper 10 flies over the site of a cut gas line in Hertford, North Carolina Dec. 8, 2020. Perquimans County Manager Frank Heath says the turbulence in the water in Racoon Creek was caused by the leaking gas coming from the ruptured line.

By Thursday evening, Piedmont Natural Gas said that initial evacuations included about 25 households, but all but seven were able to return home in the few days after the incident.

The utility said it was providing continuous, around-the-clock monitoring of natural gas levels at the scene and the surrounding area, and the levels remain safe but citizens can expect a continued odor for several more days.

According to officials, what people were smelling is an additive to propone and natural gas to help with leak detection. Those near the construction zone may also continue to smell the odorant that gives natural gas its distinctive “rotten egg” smell.

Officials say the odorant is harmless. As the wind shifts and carries the odor into different areas and those who have not previously smelled it may now be experiencing this odor.

That said, if you use propane or natural gas at your home or business, officials with Pasquotank-Camden-Elizabeth City say do not assume the smell is coming from the Perquimans County leak.

If you suspect a natural gas leak inside your home or business, leave the area immediately and call
911 or Piedmont Natural Gas at 800-752-7504.

As for the concerns of the natural gas escaping into the environment, Piedmont says that the gas continues to escape from the ruptured line as it is “churning up mud and water from the creek bed.” Since it’s in a gaseous state, it is not oil or liquid-like.

Officials say that natural gas is lighter than air causing it to quickly rise and dissipate into the atmosphere. “Pollutants are not being discharged into the creek, and the escaping natural gas is causing no harm to the river and surrounding environment.”

Further, a sheen that could be seen on Raccoon Creek can be attributed to a naturally-occurring algae, and wasn’t related to the gas line rupture.

A local Incident Command Center, as well as a Piedmont Natural Gas Incident Command Center,
remain active, and construction continues 24/7.

For the safety of the public and construction workers, residents are being asked to avoid traveling in the vicinity of the site. There may be traffic barricades and motorists should drive with caution in the area.

If you have a concern that is not life-threatening, you’re asked to call the non-emergency communications line at 252-426-5751