Panola County Gas Pipeline Rupture Triggers Evacuations as Repair Work Continues

Repair crews are working to fix a ruptured 16-inch natural gas pipeline in Panola County, Texas, after a weekend incident forced nearby residents to evacuate. The cause of the rupture remains under investigation.

(P&GJ) — A natural gas pipeline rupture in Panola County, Texas, prompted emergency response efforts and temporary evacuations over the weekend, with repair crews now working to restore the line, according to reporting by KSLA.

The incident occurred Saturday, Jan. 17, near County Road 324 in the DeBerry area, where a 16-inch gas pipeline failed. Residents in the immediate vicinity were evacuated as a precaution but were later allowed to return once the area was secured.

Repair crews were on site on Jan. 19 addressing damage to the pipeline. A nearby property owner said the rupture occurred roughly 200 yards from their home, in an area typically used for livestock and recreation. The pipeline was buried beneath hay bales and located only a short distance from where children often play.

No injuries or structural damage were reported as a result of the rupture. Officials have not yet identified the cause of the failure, and there is currently no estimated timeline for completing repairs, as reported by KSLA.