EPCOR Restores Gas Services To Two Communities After Freeze

EPCOR restores gas services to two neighborhoods in Magnolia after gas pipe damage caused pressure issues and outages. Approximately 100 homes were experiencing outages and issues because the main line lost pressure during the recent cold snap.

Reports of Gas Pressure Issues

On January 15, 2024 (Monday), roughly 100 residences reported natural gas outages to EPCOR, a utility service company catering to several neighborhoods. According to Rebecca Stenholm, EPCOR’s director of public affairs, the resident reports were from Indigo Ranch and High Meadow Ranch in Magnolia, south of the city.

The company said that the cause of these incidences was a loss of pressure in the main line. This resulted from the recent cold snap where the communities experienced subfreezing temperatures.

The arctic cold front pushed into the Houston area, creating dangerous conditions. School districts canceled their classes, the city’s mayor urged the residents to stay home, and there were multiple crashes on freeways as a result. Moreover, the region also issued a hard freeze warning that would last through 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. Several other freeze warnings remained in most of Southeast Texas.

EPCOR Restores Gas Services

According to an email from the homeowners association, EPCOR received the reports of these gas pressure issues at the FM 1774 and FM 1486 intersections. EPCOR then restores gas services soon after the reports. Matt Atwood, the senior communications advisor for EPCOR, said that the service has been restored to residents. Crews from the company resolved the natural gas mainline obstructions at 1:45 p.m. on January 16, 2024.

According to Atwood’s email, after EPCOR restores gas services, the residents from these communities can expect regular service to resume over the next few hours. However, should the residents of these neighborhoods experience issues or disruptions, they can contact EPCOR. The company told the residents to send an email to myepcorgas@epcor.com or make a call to 800-383-0834.