May 19, 2026
Cell phone users in the area may have received an Emergency Alert that overrode their phones last week, informing that there was a dangerous gas leak in the community of Pierce.
According to the Pierce Fire and Rescue social media page, that during a routine inspection of the area, a Black Hills Energy technician received an “extremely high reading of natural gas” in the alley behind the Senior Center and Pierce Lockers.
Upon further investigation it was found that a fitting was leaking under the concrete in the alley.
Readings were at 100 percent saturation in the alley – according to the Fire & Rescue, the “dangerous level are between 5 and 15 percent.”
The alert came with an evacuation notice for the area of Lucas (Highway 13) east to Second Street, and from East Court Street south of the courthouse, and West Main Street (N-98).
After fixing the leak, Black Hills Energy gave the “all clear.”