Emergency Markouts After Severe Weather

Severe weather events — such as a nor’easter sweeping through the Northeast — can cause widespread damage to utilities and infrastructure. Heavy rain, flooding, snow, or strong winds can uproot trees, snap utility poles, break water mains, or damage gas lines. In the aftermath of such storms, excavation crews and utility responders often need to dig immediately to repair or stabilize critical systems.
That’s when emergency markouts come into play.

✅ What it means:
An emergency markout (also called an emergency locate request or emergency ticket) is used when excavation must begin immediately because of an urgent situation that threatens life, health, property, or essential services.

✅ Examples:

• A gas leak caused by storm damage
• A burst water main flooding streets or basements
• Downed power lines or damaged underground electric cables
• A collapsed sewer line affecting homes or businesses

✅ How it’s different from a normal 811 ticket:

• You don’t have to wait the usual 2–3 business days for utility marking.
• The 811 center notifies utility operators right away.
• Utility locators are dispatched as soon as possible, often within two hours (timing varies by state).

✅ Important:
Each state defines “emergency” slightly differently. It must be a true, immediate hazard, not just a rush or scheduling issue.
Submitting a false emergency ticket can lead to penalties or fines.