--- title: What to Do in Case of a Natural Gas Emergency description: Damages to natural gas lines pose serious risk to any persons or properties in the vicinity of the damage. Knowing the signs of a natural gas leak can be life saving. image: https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/fire.jpg --- [![MOCS Full Color Horizontal](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MOCS%20Full%20Color%20Horizontal.png?width=400&height=150&name=MOCS%20Full%20Color%20Horizontal.png "MOCS Full Color Horizontal")](https://missouri-811.org/) - [HOMEOWNERS](https://missouri-811.org/homeowners/) - [EXCAVATORS](https://missouri-811.org/excavators/) - [UTILITY MEMBERS](https://missouri-811.org/members/) - [RESOURCES](https://missouri-811.org/resources/) - [FIELD EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://missouri-811.org/field-education-training/request-training/) - [ENFORCEMENT](https://missouri-811.org/enforcement/) - [MEETINGS & EVENTS](https://missouri-811.org/meetings-events/) - [ABOUT](https://missouri-811.org/about/) - [HOMEOWNERS](https://missouri-811.org/homeowners/) - [EXCAVATORS](https://missouri-811.org/excavators/) - [UTILITY MEMBERS](https://missouri-811.org/members/) - [RESOURCES](https://missouri-811.org/resources/) - [FIELD EDUCATION & TRAINING](https://missouri-811.org/field-education-training/request-training/) - [ENFORCEMENT](https://missouri-811.org/enforcement/) - [MEETINGS & EVENTS](https://missouri-811.org/meetings-events/) - [ABOUT](https://missouri-811.org/about/) Search Search - [811](tel:+811) - [811](tel:+811) Search Search ![What to Do in Case of a Natural Gas Emergency](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/fire.jpg) Jun 22, 2022 11:44:20 AM | [Summer 2022](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/tag/summer-2022) # What to Do in Case of a Natural Gas Emergency Damages to natural gas lines pose serious risk to any persons or properties in the vicinity of the damage. Knowing the signs of a natural gas leak can be life saving. Share - [mailto:?&subject=What%20to%20Do%20in%20Case%20of%20a%20Natural%20Gas%20Emergency&body=What%20to%20Do%20in%20Case%20of%20a%20Natural%20Gas%20Emergency%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.missouri-811.org%2Funderground-news%2Fwhat-to-do-in-case-of-natural-gas-emergencies)](mailto:?&subject=What%20to%20Do%20in%20Case%20of%20a%20Natural%20Gas%20Emergency&body=What%20to%20Do%20in%20Case%20of%20a%20Natural%20Gas%20Emergency%0A(https%3A%2F%2Fblog.missouri-811.org%2Funderground-news%2Fwhat-to-do-in-case-of-natural-gas-emergencies)) - - - **An “emergency” is legally defined as a situation resulting from a sudden unexpected occurrence and presenting a clear and imminent danger demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss or damage to life, health, property or essential public services.** NATURAL GAS LEAKS: KNOW THE SIGNS & TAKE ACTION **SMELL** – Natural gas is injected with a chemical that produces a sulfur like smell for easy detection. **LISTEN** – Broken or damaged natural gas pipes can hiss or even make roaring sounds. **LOOK** – Leaking pipes can produce bubbles through standing water or blow dirt. **WHAT TO DO:** - Immediately evacuate the area. - Never use your phone, flip a light switch, or do anything that might cause a spark. - Call your local gas company when you are at a safe distance away from the area. **YOUR LOCAL NATURAL GAS COMPANY IS AVAILABLE 24/7/365 TO RESPOND TO ANY EMERGENCY.** ![gas leak house on fire copy](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/gas%20leak%20house%20on%20fire%20copy.jpg?width=731&name=gas%20leak%20house%20on%20fire%20copy.jpg) **HOW THIS HAPPENS:** *Cross bores are one of the most common causes of natural gas leaks and damages to gas lines. Cross bores may cause severe property damage, injury or even death. If you encounter a sewer blockage of any kind, ALWAYS use best practices to evaluate the cause of the blockage and avoid damages to any other utility lines when clearing the blockage.*  A cross bore is defined as “the intersection of an existing underground utility by a second utility using trenchless technology”. Cross bores are rare, however, sewer lines are more susceptible to cross bores due to their larger diameter relative to other utilities. It is common practice for most to use a mechanical rotary device to clean out a blocked sewer line. This can present a very dangerous situation if a natural gas line is cross bored through a sewer line causing the blockage. If this is the case, the mechanical rotary device may cut through the natural gas line releasing flammable and dangerous gases into your home. This may result in a significant accident that could cause damage to property, cause injury or even death. Always scope a sewer line to identify the blockage before using a mechanical rotary device! ![CrossBoreIllustration copy](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/CrossBoreIllustration%20copy.png?width=525&name=CrossBoreIllustration%20copy.png)     ![Missouri 811](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Facebook%20Profile.png?width=70&name=Facebook%20Profile.png) ### Written By: Missouri 811 ## You May Also Like ### [![What to Do in Case of a Natural Gas Emergency](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Winter2025_ArticleImages3.png) *Dec 29, 2025 3:21:16 PM | Winter 2025* PSC Damage Prevention Requirements and How Missouri 811 Supports Gas & Pipeline Operators](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/psc-damage-prevention-requirements-and-how-missouri-811-supports-gas-pipeline-operators) ### [![What to Do in Case of a Natural Gas Emergency](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Missouri811_UndergroundNews_Summer2025_ArticleImages5.png) *Jul 15, 2025 2:20:08 PM | Summer 2025* Welcome Our Newest Damage Prevention Specialist – John Spatafora](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/welcome-our-newest-damage-prevention-specialist-john-spatafora) ### [![What to Do in Case of a Natural Gas Emergency](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hubfs/Underground%20News%20Winter%2023%20Images3.png) *Jan 9, 2024 10:37:19 AM | Winter 23* Get Training for Your Crew](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news/get-training-for-your-crew) [Learn More](https://blog.missouri-811.org/underground-news) [![Missouri 811_Logo_Full Color Reversed Stacked](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Missouri%20811_Logo_Full%20Color%20Reversed%20Stacked.png?width=212&height=175&name=Missouri%20811_Logo_Full%20Color%20Reversed%20Stacked.png "Missouri 811_Logo_Full Color Reversed Stacked")](https://missouri-811.org/) ## **PLACE A LOCATE REQUEST** [**CALL 811**](tel:811) Download the App: [![google-play-badge-1](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/google-play-badge-1.png?width=839&height=250&name=google-play-badge-1.png "google-play-badge-1")](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.occ.mocs&hl=en_US&gl=US) [![Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US](https://blog.missouri-811.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US.png?width=749&height=250&name=Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US.png "Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US")](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/missouri-one-call-system/id1462376234) 824 Weathered Rock Rd Jefferson City, MO 65101 ## **Follow us on social media.** Stay informed on the latest news and regulation changes. **Always remember to place your locate requests at least 3 working days before you dig. 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