Updated March 8 at 10:50 a.m. with new information 

Evacuation orders remain in effect for 61 businesses and 42 homes near Williams Drive and River Bend as Atmos Energy continues repairs from an underground natural gas leak discovered Feb. 20.

Atmos Energy officials said the gas leak has been fixed, but crews are still working to remove natural gas that remains in surrounding soil. The company is also "performing additional leak surveys and using mobile leak detection units mounted on cars, as well as foot patrols," as well as "repairing underground leaks and replacing sections of pipeline as needed," according to a March 7 announcement from the city of Georgetown.

The energy company and the Georgetown Fire Department issued the evacuations for surrounding homes and businesses as a precaution, according to a city news release issued March 5.

Atmos is paying for hotel rooms and meals for residents who have been evacuated.

Company representatives are providing additional assistance to those affected, both through a customer service line at 888-992-8667 and in person from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily at the Holiday Inn Express at 431 N. I-35, Georgetown.

Atmos has not given a timeframe for how much longer the evacuations will be necessary, but residents and businesses will be allowed to return once repairs are finished and the area is safe, according to the company.

Atmos is also providing 24-hour security in the area.

Additional information from the city of Georgetown is available here.