NEWTON, Kan. (KSNW) — Governor Laura Kelly has issued a verbal disaster declaration for Harvey County due to a gas leak from an unknown source underneath a Newton housing development.
It began on August 22 at the Fox Ridge housing development during a site survey. The source of the gas is not yet known, but it has been determined that it is not a leak involving public utilities.
“I am issuing this declaration to help in assisting local authorities in Harvey County,” says Governor Laura Kelly. “The Kansas Division of Emergency Management and state agency Emergency Support Function partners are keeping in close contact with authorities in Harvey County and providing requested resources.”
“The State Fire Marshal’s Office is working closely with other state agencies, local officials, and private industry partners to mitigate the danger of a fire or explosion from the uncontrolled release of natural gas under the neighborhood,” says Mark Engholm, State Fire Marshal. “Scientists from the Kansas Geological Survey have been providing their expertise to help authorities track the gas back to its source so that it can be controlled.”
The fire marshal’s office says two Regional Hazardous Material teams are on the scene to perform atmospheric monitoring, while the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been providing procedural and technical guidance. The Kansas Corporation Commission is providing technical assistance to local authorities. An environmental consultant has been brought on to determine the source of the gas.
Natural gas forms the same way as petroleum, when organic matter like plants and animals becomes buried under sand, silt, and rock. Pressure and heat convert carbon and hydrogen into coal, oil, and gas.
Walmart shrimp recalled in Kansas over radioactive contamination
Kansas has a long history of oil and gas production dating back to 1860. Data from the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Geological Survey show that oil and gas production occurs on some level over most of the state.
A map of known gas and oil fields in Kansas indicates that while Harvey County has areas of natural gas and oil, there don’t appear to be any known sources under the City of Newton.
Governor Kelly’s office says Newton Fire is monitoring the situation, while Kansas Gas Service continues to vent the gas.
For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here.
