Natural gas pipeline leak leads to evacuations in Bartholomew, Brown counties

NAHSVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — A natural gas leak on a large main delivery pipeline in western Bartholomew County prompted concerns due to its size and potential risks, leading to evacuations in Bartholomew and Brown counties, according to information from the county’s emergency managers.

Shannan Cooke, the director of Bartholomew County Emergency Management, said the leak was reported just after 5:31 p.m. Tuesday in a heavy wooded area in the 4000 block of South Whitehorse Road. That’s about a 20-minute drive east-southeast of the town of Nashville and a 25-minute drive west-southwest of downtown Columbus.

The Harrison Township Fire Department in Bartholomew County evacuating homes and other places within a half-mile radius of the leak. Cooke said most structures in the area are short-term rental properties, with the majority being Airbnb rentals. Few people were present at the time, and many people in the area had “self-evacuated.”

Approximately 15 homes in Brown County also were evacuated due to the leak. A warming center was set up for evacuees at a Nashville elementary school while more permanent shelter with overnight accommodations was being established at the Brown County YMCA in Nashville.

No information was immediately available if the leak would impact natural gas service to additional areas, which will deal with severe cold overnight. Areas southwest of Columbus received 14.2 i...