What to Do If You See a Gas Leak While Driving

A gas leak near a road can develop from a damaged pipeline, construction activity, a vehicle collision, or a problem with a gas service line. You may notice a rotten-egg odor, hear hissing, see dust or water blowing from the ground, or observe dead vegetation near a pipeline route. A visible vapor cloud or bubbling water can also signal escaping gas.

Your first responsibility is to create distance and avoid becoming an ignition source. Do not assume that a leak is minor because there is no flame. Natural gas can travel along the ground or collect in low areas before igniting.

Public infrastructure depends on quick, accurate reports. Residents can learn more about city services, utility resources, emergency information, and current notices through the Susanville Public Works website.

Keep Your Vehicle Away From the Hazard

If you see a suspected gas leak ahead, slow down and maintain as much distance as traffic conditions allow. Do not drive directly through a visible vapor cloud, dust plume, standing water that may be bubbling, or an area with a strong gas odor. If you can safely turn around or use another route without stopping near the leak, do so.

If you are already beside the suspected leak, avoid sudden maneuvers that could cause a collision. Move away from the area only when it is safe. Do not park, idle, or wait near a damaged pipe, excavation, utility marker, or leaking vehicle.

Avoid Flames, Sparks, and Electrical Sources

Natural gas is highly flammable when it mixes with air. Do not smoke, light a match, use a road flare, or operate any equipment that could create a spark near the suspected release. Avoid stopping to inspect the site with a flashlight, camera, or other device if you are close enough to smell gas.

Do not use your mobile phone while you are within the suspected danger area. Once you have driven or walked to a safe location upwind and away from the leak, call 911. Explain the location, nearby landmarks, direction of travel, and what you observed. Emergency dispatch can coordinate with the fire department and the appropriate utility operator.

Report What You Observed

A useful report is specific but does not require you to investigate. Give the dispatcher the road name, nearest intersection, address, mile marker, or landmark. Describe whether you saw a broken line, damaged meter, excavation, collision, flames, vapor, bubbling water, or vegetation damage.

If a crash may have damaged a gas line, report that detail immediately. Tell responders whether people remain in a vehicle or building and whether traffic is blocked. Do not return to the area to obtain a better view or to warn people by approaching the leak.

If the leak appears to involve city-owned infrastructure, the incident may later require coordination among emergency responders, utility operators, and Public Works staff. Municipal capital projects also help replace aging systems and improve infrastructure reliability; residents can review the city’s capital improvement information to understand how long-term work is planned.

Compare Common Roadside Situations

The right response can vary according to what you see and how close you are. In every case, prioritize distance and emergency reporting over photographs or detailed inspection.

What you observe	Immediate action	What to tell dispatch
Strong gas odor near a road	Leave the area without stopping nearby; call 911 from a safe location	Exact location, odor strength, nearby homes or businesses
Hissing or blowing dust from the ground	Keep vehicles and pedestrians away; avoid sparks	Road position, direction of traffic, visible pipe or excavation
Bubbling water or vapor near a utility line	Do not drive through or approach it	Whether the release is in the street, sidewalk, or right-of-way
Vehicle collision near a gas meter or pipeline	Call 911 and do not approach damaged equipment	Number of vehicles, injuries, fire, and suspected line damage
Flames near a gas facility	Move well away and follow emergency instructions	Fire location, size, nearby structures, and blocked access

Protect People in Your Vehicle

Tell passengers to remain calm and avoid opening windows near the odor or vapor. If you can move away safely, continue to a location where responders can reach you without entering the hazard zone. Keep children and pets away from the area.

If a vehicle stalls near a suspected leak, do not take unnecessary risks to restart it. If the engine is running and you are already in danger, follow emergency instructions and leave the area when safe. Do not use a lighter, phone, radio, or other electronic control close to the release. Call for help after reaching a safe distance.

Never attempt to shut a valve, cover a broken pipe, move barricades, or enter a utility trench. Those actions can expose you to fire, explosion, toxic conditions, unstable ground, or electrical hazards.

Prepare Before You Travel

Knowing how to respond before an emergency reduces hesitation. Keep a charged phone available, learn major routes and intersections in your regular travel area, and pay attention to construction warnings and utility work. If you see crews working near a roadway, reduce speed and follow their traffic controls.

Use these habits when traveling near utility corridors:

• Keep a safe following distance so you can change direction without stopping beside a hazard.
• Treat rotten-egg odors, hissing, vapor, and bubbling water as potential warning signs.
• Never use a flame or create a spark to locate a leak.
• Call 911 from outside the suspected danger area and provide precise location details.
• Follow instructions from emergency responders and do not re-enter until officials declare the area safe.

Prompt reporting can protect drivers, pedestrians, utility workers, and nearby residents. A few seconds spent moving away from a suspected gas release may prevent a serious injury, while a clear location report can help responders act quickly. Save the city’s public works website for utility information and local infrastructure updates, and contact emergency services immediately whenever a leak presents an active danger.