Natural Gas Emergency

How you can spot a natural gas leak

A gas leak is often recognized by smell, sight, or sound:

• Smell — A distinctive sulfur-like or rotten-egg odor is added to natural gas, so you’ll recognize it quickly. This odor may fade or be difficult to distinguish, and not all natural gas transmission lines are odorized. Do not rely on your sense of smell alone to detect a natural gas leak.
• Look — You may see dirt blowing into the air from a hole in the ground; continuous bubbling in water; dead or dying vegetation (in an otherwise moist area) over or near a pipeline; a damaged connection to a gas appliance; or an exposed pipeline after an earthquake, fire, flood, or other disaster.
• Listen — You may hear a hissing, whistling, or roaring sound as natural gas escapes from a pipe.

If you suspect a natural gas leak, warn others and immediately leave the area. From a safe location at least 300 feet from the suspected leak, call 911 and NorthWestern Energy, any time, day or night