Natural gas pipeline in SLO County 'impacted by heavy rainfall.' Crews are working to fix it

Mar. 16—SoCalGas crews continued working Wednesday on a natural gas line in Cayucos that was exposed during a recent rainstorm, according to a notice sent to customers via email.

Utility and work crew vehicles have filled the North Coast community's popular 24th Street parking lot.

"SoCalGas crews have isolated a natural gas pipeline near Morro Strand State Beach in Cayucos that has been impacted by heavy rainfall in San Luis Obispo County," the emailed notice read.

Flows from Whale Rock Reservoir also added to the impact, according to Brittany Paul, SoCalGas community education and outreach manager.

Paul said in a series of emails that "the pipeline is not damaged and there are no reports of customer impacts."

"We sent out the notice because the line is on lower pressure" until it can be secured, SoCalGas representative Jim Mahoney said by phone Wednesday morning.

"SoCalGas crews have safely isolated the pipeline and are mitigating service disruptions to customers by temporarily connecting the pipeline to other natural gas infrastructure," Paul wrote Wednesday.

She added later that "we have access to mobile infrastructure that can supply natural gas to customers during incidents."

According to Paul, SoCalGas can't yet estimate how long it will be before repairs can be made.

"When weather conditions improve, SoCalGas will safely assess the pipeline and make any needed alterations," she wrote.

Most customers with emails on file in Cayucos, Cambria, and San Simeon have been contacted and encouraged to conserve natural gas usage to prevent service disruptions, Paul said.

Crews have been working to repair the line, often in windy and rainy conditions, since the exposed gas line was reported Sunday night.

They "will be onsite 24 hours a day," Paul said.

Two holes were dug into the pavement at Studio Drive, reportedly to provide better access to the line.

SoCalGas customers experiencing service disruptions should call 800-427-2200.

"For safety reasons, customers should not try to restore natural gas service on their own," Paul said.

This story was originally published March 15, 2023, 11:37 AM.

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