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6 Weeks Later: Merrimack Valley Still In Limbo, And Doubt As Columbia Gas Deadline Nears

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Columbia Gas employee Brian Jones shines a flashlight so his partner, using a wrench, can shut off the gas in a home last September in Andover, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP)
Columbia Gas employee Brian Jones shines a flashlight so his partner, using a wrench, can shut off the gas in a home last September in Andover, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP)

Today marks exactly six weeks since a series of gas explosions and fires hit the Merrimack Valley, killing one person.

Yet thousands of people are still waiting for gas to be restored.

Out of more than 8,400 residences and businesses that have gone without heat or hot water since the Sept. 13 explosions, only 842 have had their service restored. And with temperatures dropping and a weekend nor'easter in the forecast, people are getting increasing anxious about Columbia Gas meeting its Nov. 19 deadline.

Columbia Gas announced Thursday it will host public forums this weekend in each of the affected communities where customers will be able to ask questions and work to resolve issues with the company. More information about the forums can be found here.

Guests

Milton Valenica, reporter at the Boston Globe. He tweets @miltonvalencia.

Linda Harvey, chair of Debbie's Treasure Chest, an organization that provides clothing, toys, and toiletries to at-risk families in the Merrimack Valley.

John Farrington, owner of Carleen's Coffee Shop in Lawrence.

Father Paul O'Brien, pastor of Saint Patrick's Catholic Church.

This segment aired on October 25, 2018.

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