Chattanooga Gas encourages customers to prepare for an active 2024 hurricane season

Chattanooga, Tenn. – June 3, 2024 – June marks the start of hurricane season and Chattanooga Gas is encouraging its customers to prepare for the severe inland storms an active storm season can bring. Forecasters predict a minimum of 17 named storms and at least half of the storms are anticipated to become hurricanes.

Chattanooga Gas’ number one value is safety. The company reminds customers to keep safety first as they prepare for the threat of severe weather this hurricane season. Customers are encouraged to follow these natural gas safety tips before, during and after a weather emergency:

Meter Safety

• Know the location of your natural gas meter.
• Do not attempt to turn off your gas supply at the meter. Only Chattanooga Gas or emergency personnel should turn the valve on or off.
• After the storm, make sure your natural gas meter is visible, and the area surrounding the meter is free of trash and debris. Mechanical equipment used during storm clean-up could damage the meter if it is hidden.
• If your natural gas meter is damaged or an underground gas line is exposed, leave the area immediately and call 911 or the Chattanooga Gas 24-hour emergency response line at 1-866-643-4170 from a safe location.

Damage Prevention

• Intense winds and saturated ground can cause trees to become uprooted. Contact Tennessee 811 to request that the underground utility lines be marked. This is important because the tree roots could become tangled with utility lines.
• If a natural gas meter is damaged or a natural gas line is exposed, please immediately leave the area and call 911 or the Chattanooga Gas 24-hour emergency response line at 1-866-643-4170 from a safe location.

Detecting Gas Leaks

• If you smell the distinctive “rotten egg” odor associated with natural gas, leave the area immediately and move away from the potential leak.
• Look for blowing dirt, discolored vegetation or continued bubbling in standing water.
• Never try to identify the source of a leak or stop the leak on your own.
• Avoid using any sources of ignition, such as cell phones, cigarettes, matches, flashlights, electronic devices, motorized vehicles, light switches or landlines, as natural gas can ignite from a spark and cause a fire or an explosion.
• Call the Chattanooga Gas 24-hour emergency response line at 1-866-643-4170 or 911 once you are in a safe location away from potential leak.

Generator Safety

• A natural gas home generator can provide peace of mind and keep your household running smoothly during unexpected blackouts. Customers are encouraged to use them properly to ensure their family’s safety.
• Never use a generator in an enclosed or partially enclosed space.
• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as “backfeeding.”

• Plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy-duty extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads.
• Customers are encouraged to contact Chattanooga Gas prior to the purchase or installation of a natural gas generator to determine whether their service line and meter meet load requirements for the generator’s safe and efficient operation.
  • Visit Chattanooga Gas - Canter Power Systems to learn more about the benefits of a standby natural gas home generator and how it can help you stay safe and comfortable during summer storms and throughout this hurricane season

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