Agencies continue response to underground gas release
Local and state agencies continue to investigate the source of an underground gas release near Southeast 10th and Logan in the new Fox Ridge housing development. The homes in the area are not in danger.
Gov. Laura Kelly issued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation on Thursday evening to allow state agencies to support local efforts, including contracting with private companies.
Kansas Gas Service is using vacuum trucks to remove the gas from the ground to prevent the risk of ignition. The source of the leak is still unknown.
About 11 homes in the affected area are under voluntary evacuation. Affected residents who choose to evacuate are being offered free hotel lodging.
The gas release was first discovered last Friday, Aug. 22 as Kansas Gas was conducting a site survey near Southeast 10th and Logan. They have remained onsite continually since then to vent the gas and investigate the source.
The Harvey County Commission on Tuesday morning approved a disaster declaration to enable access to additional resources.
The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office sent two Regional Hazardous Material teams to the scene to perform atmospheric monitoring. Also present were Emergency Response Chief Gregg Bollella, as well as the Search and Rescue program manager and the Hazmat Program manager, serving as subject matter experts and as liaisons for the KSFM.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been providing procedural and technical guidance. KDHE has facilitated contact with a qualified environmental consultant to evaluate the source of the gas and will lead the investigation.
Scientists from the Kansas Geological Survey have been providing their expertise to help authorities track the gas back to its source. The Kansas Corporation Commission is providing technical assistance to local authorities.
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