Date: February 2, 2010
by: Robin Hartill | Community Editor

The Longboat Key Public Works Department is located at 600 General Harris St.

Longboat Key Public Works Director Juan Florensa discussed streamlining the communications process in the case of a CodeRED alert with TECO Peoples Gas officials during a meeting today.

According to Florensa, the town did not issue a CodeRED last week when a gas leak left about 800 north-Key residents without gas for nearly 24 hours because the town did not have enough information and must use caution when speaking on behalf of the company.

“We did not have enough information, and we could not ascertain from the gas company when it would be turned back on,” Florensa said.

The incident occurred Tuesday, Jan. 26, after a contractor hit a main gas line while installing water lines. TECO Peoples Gas officials responded to the scene and restored gas to affected businesses, then homes, by Wednesday. The incident affected all homes and businesses north of Bay Isles Road.

Contact Robin Hartill at rhartill@yourobserver.com.