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No estimate on when evacuated Georgetown residents can return after gas leak

A gas leak happened in Georgetown on Feb. 20. More than a month later, several families and businesses are still under evacuation due to trapped gas.

GEORGETOWN, Texas — It's been nearly a month and a half since natural gas became trapped in soil in a part of Georgetown, forcing dozens of evacuations.

As of Thursday afternoon, 47 businesses and 56 homes remain evacuated in an area just west of Interstate 35.

The situation began on Feb. 20 when Atmos Energy repaired a gas leak on a property on River Bend. But the company soon realized there was residual gas trapped in the soil in the surrounding homes and businesses.

The gas is supposed to naturally ventilate over time, but it was taking too long, the company said.

Since then, crews have been working to create air flow underground to remove that residual gas.

RELATED: Georgetown businesses impacted by gas leak receive help from City Council, chamber

RELATED: Few returning to homes following Georgetown gas leak

As a precaution, any home or business with an unsafe concentration of gas was evacuated.

Atmos Energy held a community meeting in Georgetown Thursday night to provide an update on the situation and to answer any questions or concerns.

Perhaps the biggest question of the night was how soon people impacted by the evacuations would be able to return home or to work. But an Atmos Energy representative couldn't answer that question and instead emphasized that the company is working day and night to resolve the problem.

"I'm sorry this has happened," the representative said. "Our number one priority is your safety, and we wouldn't want to do anything to compromise that."

Some homeowners, like Peter Helfrich, are upset they still can't return home.

"Let me just put it this way: We've been sharing a small bedroom with a 15-month-old who is teething and two dogs," Helfrich said. "It's like a messed-up social experiment to see how far they can push people 'til they just freaking crack."

RELATED: Georgetown business owners want to know more after gas leak causes evacuation

RELATED: Weeks after Georgetown gas leak, evacuations jump to 67 businesses and 73 homes

Others, like Jamie Perry, the owner of The Body Company on Williams Drive, are trying to remain positive, even if it means waiting a while longer to return to their workplace.

"Our office has been reading right now less than one percent, but they're not going to let us in. They're not going to let us in until it's zero percent for 24 to 48 hours," Perry said. "Why? For safety. And that's what we want. We want them to err on the caution of safety."

At the meeting, Atmos Energy said it cannot let anyone back into their business or home as long as any other business or home nearby has residual gas.

RELATED: Why no disaster declaration after Atmos Energy gas leak in Georgetown?

The company has brought in employees from several states who are conducting surveys several times a day to check for any gas. It is also surveying the entirety of City of Georgetown as a precaution.

Representatives with Atmos Energy will soon move into a new office space on Williams Drive for the next year and a half, the company said, as part of its plans to minimize risk in Georgetown.

Those who need to speak with Atmos Energy representatives are asked to call 1-888-992-8667 or go to the Holiday Inn Express located at 431 North Interstate 35 during business hours.

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