University of Iowa students and staff received a Hawk Alert at 5:02 p.m. on March 30 to avoid the area surrounding the UI Levitt Center for University Advancement near Hancher Auditorium after a gas leak was reported.

According to the alert, occupants immediately evacuated the building, located at 1 Park Rd. Traffic routes were also rerouted as the utility company, MidAmerican Energy, began work on the scene.

The Iowa City Fire Department and Iowa City Police Department also arrived on the scene to respond to the incident.

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MidAmerican Energy Media Relations Manager Geoff Greenwood said the gas leak occurred after an excavator contracted by the UI hit an underground gas line with a backhoe. A backhoe is a tractor-like construction machine used to dig through the ground and lift objects.

An additional Hawk Alert was sent out at 6:01 p.m., stating the gas leak had been resolved. Greenwood said MidAmerican Energy finished making its repairs to the underground gas line soon after the alert was sent out.

UI Facilities Management was not available for comment at the time of publication.