On the whole, as things go, this past week’s surprise natural gas outage, wasn’t really all that bad. It could have been worse; a lot worse. Fortunately, the disruption came when the weather was moderate, so we did not have frozen pipes, or worse, frozen people. Still, it was uncomfortable, and by last weekend, it was beginning to get a bit frustrating. For those who watched as other homes had their gas restored, and were waiting their turn, it was annoying.
The important thing is that for a big disruption like this, almost everyone pulled together to lend a hand. We did exactly what good people do: We take care of one another and strangers. Neighbors checked on neighbors and offered to lend an electric space heater.
This whole misadventure began, according to all I have learned, when a contractor hired by the Department of Natural Resources, ruptured the pipeline near Fennville. To prevent this sort of thing from happening, that is why Miss Dig must be called anytime anyone is going to dig anything. Creating the rupture was probably the most exciting part about all of this, and fortunately, even this chapter was not very exciting. There was no great explosion, no tower of fire and flames, no grand pillar of smoke. Above all, fortunately no one got hurt. Still, I am sure that whoever caused this caper will be called in on the carpet for their blunder.
He or she is going to have a lot of explaining to do, and I don’t envy them. Imagine getting home from work that day and the Significant Other and perhaps some Tax Exemptions ask, “Well, how did work go today?” How do you answer that one? Maybe something like, “Well, it was pretty interesting. I just shut off the gas for 5,200 customers. Nobody has ever done that one before, you know.”
As I just wrote, everyone pulled together. The Michigan Gas people turned off the gas to prevent an explosion or fire. The volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and police were on the scene, and the area was secured. With their mutual aid agreement, all the fire and rescue crews were notified and ready to lend a hand if needed.
I caught onto the idea that something was amiss early on Wednesday evening when I realized the furnace fan was running, but the house was getting cold. By the time the late evening news came on the television stations, the word was out: No gas in a big part of Allegan County, and it was going to stay out for “a while.” No one was defining what “a while” meant.
The next morning it was obvious that this little adventure was going to continue for “a while,” and no one was taking odds on how long it would last. Periodically there were news updates on social media, but before long, they were repetitious. It was a bit like trying to make an important telephone call, only to be put on hold so we could listen to really bad cheesy music, with the interruption ‘your telephone call is important to us, so please remain on the line for the next available operator.’ We were starting to get eager for a news release with some forward motion.
The most notable exception to this perpetual instant replay of news came from the Fennville City Hall. I understand that they remained open around the clock to take telephone calls from customers and did a superb job of re-assuring them. That was about the best example of public service, caring, and compassion we’ve experienced in a long time. There is a lesson to be learned from this, and other towns and communities could be more helpful in answering questions.
Meanwhile, warming stations and even places to spend the night were quickly organized. Once again, it is yet another example of people taking care of each other.
Eventually, we all had the opportunity to learn how the rupture was going to be fixed. The gas had to be shut off, the pipes cleared of any remaining gas, and then all 5200 meters shut off. Without that, something might have gone BOOM!
Michigan Gas called in crews from as far away as Minnesota. Perhaps you saw their assembly areas in the big parking lot in Fennville, or the parking lot at Lake Vista Grocery in Saugatuck. In all, there were several hundred crews. While they were waiting for the gas to be blown out of the pipe, the repairs made, and the tests completed, they were busy getting ready to start restoring service.
Their first task was to find the meter on every customer’s building and shut it off. The crews worked from a Michigan Gas list. After the shut off and before they went to the next task, they placed a little yellow flag in front, indicating which side of the building the meter was located. Because the crews were working until midnight, having that flag saved a lot of time and searching.
Beginning on Friday they settled into the task of turning on each customer’s gas. With their list of customers, and if they found someone at home, they set to work. They checked to make sure the appliances were turned off, opened up the meter, and then went to ignite the appliance the farthest from meter. Once that one was working, they went to the rest of them. Suffice it to note that they were efficient. They got some of the gas turned on by Friday night, and before dawn the next morning started again.
On Saturday, the fellow who came to my house arrived about 945 PM. Christian was from the Illinois contingency, growing up on the south side of Chicago. He said I was his last call for the night because he had been working at least sixteen hours, the maximum time allowed by the company, but despite a long day, was cordial as they come. He even added that he wished the company would let him work longer so he could get more customers hooked up. Now, that’s a work ethic second to none.
When he finished I asked if he’d like something to eat or drink. He looked at me and said everyone had made the same offer. “I’ve never seen such hospitality in my life,” and wanted to know if this was just “company manners” or if we are that way all the time.
He went on to say that this was the first time he’d been to Michigan and really liked his experience here. He hopes he and his family will probably come back this year or the next. If they do come here, the reason is simple: It uis because of our welcome to them.
The restoration work continued into Sunday the 13th, and a few more crews were still circulating through the area on Monday and Tuesday. The challenge seems to be that our snowbirds are still in Florida and no one is available to unlock the house and welcome in the crews. Other places are summer cottages, and the Michigan Gas people cannot get access.
Meanwhile, we rose to the challenge and the gas crews appreciated it. That kindness made their work a lot easier.
We done did it together!
