UPDATE: Gas leak is repaired
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, July 19th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UPDATE Wednesday 7:10 a.m.
The Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office reports: This morning Cascade Natural Gas notified Incident Command that they had completed the repair of the pipeline and pressure testing. The roadways are being opened up and the public will be allowed back into the area once the roadway barricades are removed. Highway 395 will remain a single lane going northbound as repair work continues on the excavation site.
UPDATE 10:40 p.m.
News release from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office:
On July 19, 2022 at approximately 11:43 a.m. our dispatch center received a 911 call from a construction crew working in the area of Margaret Ave and N Highway 395 near Umatilla Oregon reporting they had struck a 4-inch natural gas line. Umatilla Rural Fire Protection Department responded to the incident. Businesses and residences in the area west of N Highway 395, south of Margaret Rd, East of Lind Rd and North of Power City Road were evacuated. Businesses on the east side of N Highway 395 south of Wildwood Lane, and north of Power City Rd were also evacuated. Commercial Tire (81991 Hwy 395 N) was placed on standby. ODOT closed U.S. 395 north of Hermiston between the junction of U.S. 730 at milepost 0.4 and the junction of Bensel Road near milepost 1.75. Avoid the north end of U.S. 395 and use alternate routes.
At this time, Cascade Natural Gas crews are on the scene repairing the line. At about 8 p.m. Cascade Natural Gas crews reported they had stopped flow at the northern end of the gas line and were now working to stop and repair the south end near the location of the break. It was explained that this is a large line and in order to repair the break, pressure in the gas lines have to be adjusted carefully so as not to overpressure other lines. Additionally, the break is located in somewhat swampy terrain, causing Cascade Natural Gas crews to take extra precautions not to get water into the gas line once pressure is stopped. Wind Wave also responded to the scene to assist, after a request for specific equipment was needed.
At this time, approximately 16 residences are without power and have been evacuated. No reports of injuries. Umatilla Electric Co-op is working in cooperation with Cascade Natural Gas and emergency services to coordinate when they will be able to safely restore power and return people to their homes. Cascade Natural Gas Crews will be working into the night to repair the south end of the gas line near the source of the break.
ODOT is also coordinating with Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office and Umatilla County Road Department to continue the road closures until the leak is repaired and it is safe for the public to enter the area. We want to stress, it is very important for the public to remain out of the area for their safety.
Additional updates will be provided as available.
POSTED EARLIER:
UMATILLA COUNTY – A gas leak forced the closure of Highway 395 north of Hermiston to Highway 730 today and people living in that area were evacuated from their homes. The American Red Cross set up an emergency shelter at McNary Heights Elementary School in Umatilla, but at last report no one had sought shelter there.
A news release from the Oregon Department of Transportation said the repair to the broken gas line could take one to four days to complete. No information has been released yet on what caused the break.
There have also been no reports of injuries.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will be posted when available.
