Gas leak forces evacuations in Monte Rio

Residents and businesses were evacuated after construction crews hit a gas line Sunday morning.|
MEG MCCONAHEY
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

A Monte Rio neighborhood was evacuated early Sunday after a construction crew hit and ruptured a propane line.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office issued at 7:22 a.m. a mandatory evacuation order via Nixle for an area around El Rancho Way and Highway 116. Authorities also went door to door to warn people to leave. They described the leak as “significant.”

Residents and businesses on El Rancho Way, Front Street, Breen Court, Front Street and Grahn Drive, as well as addresses along Highway 116 near those streets, were ordered to evacuate.

The rupture occurred on El Rancho Way about 6:30 a.m. when a utility crew installing a new utility pole into the ground for PG&E hit a small line feeding a house meter.

Up to 20 residents were asked to leave as a precaution. The intersection at Highway 116 and El Rancho Way was closed while utility crews dealt with the damage.

The gas leak was repaired and the evacuation order lifted by 10:22 a.m.

You can reach Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5204.

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