A second gas line incident in less than three months along Second Street has city leaders renewing calls for contractors to strictly follow 811 locate procedures and stop taking shortcuts before digging.
The most recent leak occurred Jan. 8 near the intersection of Second Street and South Sunflower Avenue, across from the B.B. King Museum, when a Miller Pipeline crew working as a contractor for Atmos Energy struck a gas line, city officials said. The leak, reported around 11:45 a.m., forced authorities to close Second Street from South Sunflower Avenue to Pershing Avenue while emergency crews secured the scene and rerouted traffic.
According to Public Works Director Elvis Pernell, a separate Miller Pipeline crew was called in to repair the damaged line, and no injuries were reported. City public works, fire and police units remained on site until repairs were completed and the street was safely reopened.
The Jan. 8 strike followed a Nov. 21, 2025, gas leak at Second Street and B.B. King Road, when an unmarked, abandoned gas line was accidentally hit during routine sewage repairs, triggering another large emergency response around 10:20 a.m. In both cases, businesses along the corridor — including the B.B. King Museum — experienced disruptions as streets were blocked and drivers detoured.
During the Jan. 12 Board of Aldermen meeting, Mayor Ken Featherstone said repeated utility strikes have become a recurring problem that must stop because they affect businesses, public services and tourism. He stressed that all contractors working in Indianola will be put on notice that they must contact 811 and obtain proper utility locates before any digging, warning that failure to follow established procedures leads to work stoppages, service interruptions and financial losses for the community.
