Oak Harbor Residents Cleared to Return Home After Gas Leak Evacuation

OAK HARBOR, Ohio – Residents of Oak Harbor, Ohio, who were evacuated Thursday afternoon due to a gas leak, have been cleared to return to their homes, according to the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

The evacuation was prompted by a significant gas leak that affected a high-pressure natural gas supply line to the village. As of Thursday evening, local authorities, including the fire department, Columbia Gas, and law enforcement, had isolated the leak, ensuring it was safe for residents to return. The agencies involved will continue to monitor the area, and residents who wish to have their properties specifically monitored are encouraged to inform one of the responding departments.

The leak, which affected approximately 129 households, led to the temporary closure of State Route 19 between Portage River South and Mill Street in Oak Harbor. Ohio Department of Transportation officials had already planned a road closure for April 7 to address a known gas leak south of the village, but the situation escalated, leading to the immediate emergency response.

Fred Petersen, director of the Ottawa County EMA, addressed the public Thursday evening, assuring that the gas line was being isolated and that the fire department was using gas monitors to ensure the area’s safety. “We’re hopeful that this will be resolved tonight, and we won’t have to deal with any overnight evacuations,” Petersen said.

The gas line, which was scheduled for replacement on April 7, began leaking earlier than anticipated, prompting crews to begin repairs sooner than expected. Temporary measures to divert the gas flow were put in place ahead of the permanent repair. Petersen indicated that repairs could be completed by Saturday or Sunday, with gas likely to be restored after thorough checks and air purging in the affected homes.

While the evacuation order was in place, Toledo Edison had to temporarily shut off power to Oak Harbor to facilitate repairs, but power has since been restored. Gas restoration is expected to be completed by Sunday, although crews will continue working overnight to ensure all homes are addressed.

TC Energy, the company responsible for the gas line, released a statement confirming their swift response to the incident. “Upon learning of the incident, we immediately initiated our emergency management and response procedures. We coordinated with local authorities who evacuated the area, and by 6:41 p.m. EDT, the incident was isolated,” the company stated. “There are no reported injuries, and we are working closely with local authorities to resolve the situation.”

The American Red Cross was also contacted by authorities to provide housing for residents, should it become necessary. However, as of Thursday evening, residents were cleared to return home, marking the end of the evacuation.

Local authorities have praised the swift action of first responders, and Petersen emphasized the importance of continued safety efforts as repair work progresses.

As Oak Harbor’s residents begin to return to their homes, the village looks forward to a resolution of the gas line issue in the coming days, with safety and repair efforts continuing to be the top priority.