NEWPORT — Residents suffered through cold showers, a hardware store had a run on electric heaters, and Newport teachers used day two of the city's natural gas failure as the basis for Friday's lessons.

        With freezing temperatures predicted for this weekend, Cinergy officials announced that 227 homes and the Baptist Convalescent Center had their heat and hot water restored by Friday night.

        The rest of the estimated 5,000 customers affected by Thursday's natural gas failure should have their service restored sometime within the next four days, said Cinergy spokesman Steve Brash.

Melissa Hall gives blankets to Newport residents Clay Hounshell (left) and Larry Harrison at the Brighton Center in Newport. The men are among thousands affected by the natural gas failure. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        The failure occurred about 3:30 a.m. Thursday when a water main break near the Newport Shopping Center flooded a gas distribution system, knocking out natural gas service to much of Newport.

        The temperature reached a low of 53 degrees Thursday. It is expected to dip to 32 degrees tonight and 28 degrees on Sunday, said meteorologist Scott Bohman of AccuWeather.

        At Newport's A.D. Owens Elementary School, students dealt with the lack of gas service Friday by eating picnic-style lunches and swapping stories on how their families coped.

        “I think all of our teachers are using it as a learning experience,” Principal Gregg Frank said. “In classes, the boys and girls are learning about how people used to live, and teachers are talking about the difference between needs and wants.”

        By Friday night, the Brighton Center social service agency at 741 Central Ave., had given away two truckloads of blankets, comforters and clothing donated by Target and Best Buy stores. The agency will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today to receive and disburse warm clothing and blankets, as well as foods that don't have to be cooked on a stove.

SURVIVING THE COLD

The American Red Cross offers the following tips to help families affected by Newport's natural gas outage.     • Don't panic. When power or heat is lost in a cold house, there are steps you can take to keep your family safe. If you have questions or concerns about cold weather safety, call the Cincinnati area chapter of the American Red Cross at (513) 579-3000.     • Dress warmly. Layers of clothing are more effective protection against cold than a single layer of thick clothing because entrapped insulating air is warmed by body heat. The layers can be removed as needed to prevent sweating and chills.     • Eat. Quick-energy foods, such as raisins and dried fruits, are best.     • Wear a hat, especially when sleeping under emergency conditions. The body loses between half and three-quarters of its heat through the head.     • Use several lightweight blankets rather than one very heavy blanket for the most warmth while sleeping.     • Check on neighbors. Call elderly and ill neighbors often.     • Install a carbon monoxide alarm.     • Keep a home emergency kit on hand. It should contain phone numbers of neighbors, police, the fire department and your landlord; an emergency food and water supply, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, extra medicine, a first aid kit, extra blankets or sleeping bags and a fire extinguisher.

        Procter & Gamble also donated 480 cases of peanut butter, and 50 cases each of Sunny Delight and instant coffee.

        The Fairfield Inn is offering rooms for $30 a night in Florence and Sharonville to anyone with proof of Newport residency.

        Cinergy trucks could be spotted throughout Newport Friday, as crews removed water and sediment from the affected gas mains.

        “We do want to emphasize that customers need to be home for service to be restored,” Mr. Brash said. “Customers who are not going to be home should call our call center at (513) 651-4466.”

        The Campbell County Jail was among those hoping to have gas service restored Friday night.

        At the jail, inmates have been taking cold showers since Thursday.

        “We do have blankets on hand, and other detention centers have offered to help us out,,” Jailer Greg Buckler said.

        Throughout much of Newport, cold showers were the order of the day.

        “It's that hot shower that everybody wants,” said Pat Curtsinger, a secretary at Mildred Dean Elementary. “I said I'll give them till (tonight) to get the (hot water) back on. If it's not fixed then, I'm going to a hotel.”

        State health officials visited all Newport restaurants that were open Friday, checking to determine whether they had hot water in the restroom and kitchen taps.

        “I'm having an electric hot water heater installed (today) so we can be back in business Monday,” Detroit Joe's owner Marla Sandfoss said Friday.

        Newport City Manager Phil Ciafardini said the city's emergency phone line of 291-2333 had received numerous calls by Friday, but most were for general information about the gas problem.

        “A number of people had concerns about the water, which never was actually an issue for water customers,” he said. “The water quality was checked and is excellent.”

        At the Sears Hardware Store on Carothers Road, employees reported sales of electric heaters were brisk, with residents buying two or three at a time. .

        “I traveled between five Sears hardware stores and brought them in, as soon as I heard about this yesterday afternoon,” said store manager Scott Beard.
       
       Enquirer reporter Terry Flynn contributed to this story.
       

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