Evacuated Wichita Falls Neighborhood Now Open
By: Staff Reports
Updated: February 23, 2013
Updated 9:10p.m.
ALL RESIDENTS MAY RETURN TO THE EVACUATED AREAS OF THE SOUTHWINDS NEIGHBORHOOD, however, the following ten homes are still without power and homeowners are asked to wait outside their home until ATMOS crews arrive to do additional testing: 1520, 1522, 1524 and 1526 Glenrose.....4512 and 4514 Westridge...1521, 1523 and 1525 Primrose.
Barry Levy
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Updated 8:54p.m.
Barry Levy
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Updated 8:42p.m.
From City of Wichita Falls:
Just a quick update on the neighborhood evacuation. Atmos crews are still checking some homes. We're hoping it won't take much longer. Also, wanted to encourage anyone who has not signed up for the FREE Code Red Notification system to please do so especially if you no longer have a home phone (land line). You can sign up by going to this link.
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Updated 8:12 p.m.
From City of Wichita Falls:
A gas leak that entered the City sewer system forced the evacuation of the Southwinds neighborhood this evening by the Wichita Falls Fire Depart. (The affected area runs from Jacksboro Highway west to Lake Park Drive and Weeks Street south to Norman-approximately one square mile.) The call came in at approximately 5:00pm. Atmos Energy crews found the leak in the alley between Primrose and Glendale and informed the Fire Department that levels in the sewer system had reached dangerous levels and an evacuation was necessary. The lines had not been cut due to digging or other means.
ALL RESIDENTS MAY RETURN TO THE EVACUATED AREAS OF THE SOUTHWINDS NEIGHBORHOOD, however, the following ten homes are still without power and homeowners are asked to wait outside their home until ATMOS crews arrive to do additional testing: 1520, 1522, 1524 and 1526 Glenrose.....4512 and 4514 Westridge...1521, 1523 and 1525 Primrose.
Public Information Officer
City of Wichita Falls-----------------------
Updated 8:54p.m.
Neighborhood evacuation update: Crews are beginning to turn the
power back on in the neighborhood. Still waiting to hear when residents
can return.
Public Information Officer
City of Wichita Falls-------------------------------------------------
Updated 8:42p.m.
From City of Wichita Falls:
Just a quick update on the neighborhood evacuation. Atmos crews are still checking some homes. We're hoping it won't take much longer. Also, wanted to encourage anyone who has not signed up for the FREE Code Red Notification system to please do so especially if you no longer have a home phone (land line). You can sign up by going to this link.
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Updated 8:12 p.m.
From City of Wichita Falls:
A gas leak that entered the City sewer system forced the evacuation of the Southwinds neighborhood this evening by the Wichita Falls Fire Depart. (The affected area runs from Jacksboro Highway west to Lake Park Drive and Weeks Street south to Norman-approximately one square mile.) The call came in at approximately 5:00pm. Atmos Energy crews found the leak in the alley between Primrose and Glendale and informed the Fire Department that levels in the sewer system had reached dangerous levels and an evacuation was necessary. The lines had not been cut due to digging or other means.
Fire Department personnel and ATMOS crews began a door-to-door effort to
inform residents of the emergency and the need to evacuate. Officers
with the Wichita Falls Police Department established
a perimeter and patrolled neighborhood streets. In conjunction with the
door-to-door evacuation effort the City issued a Code Red call to all
homes in the affected area to again to inform them of the need to
evacuate.
At
7:pm ONCOR Electric cut power to the 233 homes within the perimeter to
prevent the chance of accidentally igniting the gas. Temporary housing
was established in a hanger at Kickapoo Airport.
The Health Department was on hand to assist with any questions from area
food establishments and Animal Control was on site to address any pet
needs.
By
7:45pm eight homes had been identified as the most heavily affected. The
electric meters to these homes were pulled, gas levels were checked
inside and outside the homes and as they were
deemed safe the meters were reconnected.
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