Baldwyn Mayor Michael James said city employees, with the help of men from Booneville, would continue to work through this evening and night as much as they could to restore gas service to homes in Baldwyn.
Some concern had been raised on social media that the city was ending its work on visiting homes to turn gas meters back on at 5 p.m. That is not the case, although James said some of his employees have not had any sleep since Saturday morning and he is having to send some guys home to rest. Employees who are physically able will continue to work through the evening to visit as many homes as possible.
The gas line that was broken at Pine Grove has been repaired and employees of the Baldwyn Street Department and the Water and Gas Department have been working around the clock to visit the approximately 1,500 gas customers in the city to turn meters on and relight pilot lights. The Gas and Water Department is required to do this for each customer as a matter of safety. Residents must be at home at the time of the visit so employees can access pilot lights inside.
The matter of re-establishing service at homes has been taking anywhere from five minutes to 20 minutes per home depending upon how many pilot lights have to be lit – and sometimes those lights aren’t cooperating. But it’s imperative that city employees examine gas meters and gas appliances or furnaces to make sure there isn’t a problem or a gas leak.
Around 6 p.m. James said employees were working in the Eastover area to restore service at an apartment complex. In all there were five crews working in different areas of the city.
“We just continue to ask for your patience and your prayers,” James said. “We’ve got guys who haven’t been asleep since 5 a.m. yesterday and they’re just about worn out, but we’re doing everything we can to get service restored safely as quickly as possible. We know some people have been without heat or hot water for more than 24 hours, but just know we’re working as hard as we can – to the point of exhaustion – to get service back on for everyone. If we haven’t been to your house yet, please know we’re working to get there.”
