Aubrey shears off well head. Gas heard escaping two miles away. Mandatory evacuations in place.

Mandatory Evacuations in Place After Natural Gas Well Head Sheared Off in Jefferson County

Posted: Oct 28, 2014 9:40 PM EDT

Updated: Oct 28, 2014 11:36 PM EDT

 

A mandatory evacuation has been ordered for a two mile radius after a gas well head was sheared off by crews working at a site near Cross Creek Twp. 187 and County Road 26. The order has been issued by the Jefferson County Office of Homeland Security and EMA.

Evacuations are in place for the following areas:
Twp. Road 177 - Cross Creek
Twp. Road 177A - Cross Creek
Browns Hill Road - Cross Creek.
State Route 151 7900 to Scott Featner Road in Cross Creek Twp.
Co. Rd. 18, 151 to 700 Range
Plum Run - Aldo Rd. - Co. Rd. 19 to 410 Range - Bozman Lane
Twp. Road 162 and part 163 - Wells Twp.
Twp. Road 503 - Wells Twp. and Twp. Road 508 - Wells Twp.
Sheep Rock Road

Two shelters are in place if evacuees need a place to go. They are at the Smithfield Fire Department and Wells Township Community Center. There are two buses at the New Alexandria Fire Department available for transportation to the shelters.

The well is not on fire, but it is leaking natural and methane gasses according to Jefferson County Sheriff Fred Abdalla. He said there is a risk of explosion.

Abdalla said crews will be flying in from Texas to cap the leaking well, and that windy conditions are helping to dissipate the gas.

Numerous fire departments and law enforcement agencies are on scene, and going door to door to help evacuate residents.

 WTRF.com  has also learned Buckeye Local High School is closed Wednesday while their facilities are used as evacuation shelters following the gas leak. 

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Permalink Reply by Alan Bowers on October 30, 2014 at 9:13pm

Just over 3 years since the last big explosion in the area (last one was 36in dia Tennessee Gas line in Hanover Twp, Columbiana County in 2011).  At least this one didn't catch fire.  Hopefully as the number of wells increase we can go back to Zero explosions and well fires per calendar year for 2015.

Permalink Reply by Darlene Nelson on October 31, 2014 at 10:11am

Can anyone tell  me how old this well is. I have family who were evacuated and land in that same area leased by CHK. I have been watching the ODNR site for permits obtained in the area and never saw this one. Thank you.

 

Permalink Reply by Philip Brutz on October 31, 2014 at 1:58pm

Not a very good week for gas public relations.

Permalink Reply by Terry giuliani on October 31, 2014 at 8:58pm

It sounded like a jet landed in my back yard and sat there all night. I think 2 of the 3 wells are drilled. I'm probably a mile away, thank god for the rain that night.

Permalink Reply by paleface on November 1, 2014 at 9:26am

 I can't figure out what the reference to Aubrey is in this accident?

Permalink Reply by bo boboski on November 1, 2014 at 9:44am

The lease holder; American Energy Utica, was founded and  owned by Aubrey McClendon. The drller he hired is probably Nomac, unless he contracted another driller.  Their regional office is being built in Cambridge. Next to the airport and Country club, where he can land his plane and play golf.  That's the only connection to him and the well leak.

Permalink Reply by paleface on November 1, 2014 at 9:46am

 Thank You BO.

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