After tornadoes: Dayton says dangers still lurk, including gas leaks, water quality

Gas leaks, non-functioning traffic lights, unstable structures and potentially contaminated water are some of the biggest public safety concerns remaining after the devastating storms overnight.

Dayton fire Chief Jeffrey Payne said fire department staff already have responded to gas leaks and expect more will be reported today.

PHOTOS: Daylight reveals widespread damage from Monday storms

He also said buildings that were damaged by the powerful storms could have structural integrity issues and are unsafe to be inside.

“We ask everyone to check on their neighbors and check on folks who maybe are homebound,” Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said this morning.

Traffic lights across the city are out because of the loss of power. City workers have installed stop signs at some intersections because the traffic lights aren’t working.

The city of Dayton also has issued a water boil advisory because both water plants and pump stations were impacted by power outages.

MORE: Storm damage, power outages leave businesses closed

The plants have back-up generators, but the pumps do not. The city has been in contact with some vendors and hope to have generators for the pumps up and running by midday.

The city has issued a system-wide water boil advisory. The city’s water serves many Montgomery County residents and properties, but some jurisdictions have their own water supplies.

Jurisdictions not impacted by the advisory include Oakwood, Huber Heights, Englewood, Miamisburg, Union and parts of Vandalia and West Carrollton.

The Dayton fire department pulled some people out of damaged buildings. Crews will be performing searches throughout the day, with the goal of achieving a 90-percent confidence rate that the structures have been searched, rendered safe and occupants were evacuated.

Dayton fire staff responded to 41 calls overnight. The Dayton Police Department had 244 calls for service between 11:15 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Some calls were about non-functioning traffic lights and downed power lines blocking roadways.

“We do know the damage was significant and many citizens and folks are still without basic services,” Whaley said.

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