PG&E warns to 'call before you dig'

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- For years, PG&E has been asking people to "call before you dig," but this year, that warning may be even more important.

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PG&E workers marked underground gas lines in San Jose's Rose Garden neighborhood. The utility says people repairing fences and replacing trees are in increased danger of hitting a gas or power line.

That's because flooding and mudslides may have washed away top soil and changed the depth of utility lines.

"That electric line may have originally been put down two or three feet, but because you have done some grading or erosion, or runoff, the top soil is now washed away," said PG&E Public Awareness Specialist Dane Lobb. "Now those lines can certainly be higher."

If you are having work done and need to dig, call 811 so a utility worker can mark underground lines and avoid accidental ruptures.

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