(May 2, 2011) - MLGW is advising customers who are forced to evacuate their homes due to flooding to close the gas valves on natural gas appliances to prevent water infiltration into their fuel lines.

Before evacuating, MLGW asks customers to turn off their gas service at the meter and then close the appliance valves once the pilot goes out.

Gas service can be turned off at the main gas service shutoff valve normally located near your gas meter. Using a 12- to 15-inch adjustable pipe or crescent-type wrench or other suitable tool, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction; the valve is closed when the tang (the part you put the wrench on) is crosswise to the pipe.

Most gas appliances have a shutoff valve located near the appliance that lets you turn off the gas to that appliance only.

To assist customers, MLGW has placed links to illustrations and instructions showing how to turn off utilities at www.mlgw.com. In addition, MLGW has created a video that shows customers how to perform these tasks. A link can be found at www.mlgw.com or at www.youtube.com/mlgwwaystosave.

If your home or business is experiencing flooding, call MLGW's Customer Care Center at 544-MLGW (6549) or 820-7878 so we can disconnect your utility services if necessary. You can then enter quick access codes 1-1-1 (English) or 3-1-1 (Spanish) for faster service.



MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 423,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.