Porter Ranch Resident With Health Condition Struggles Living Under Natural Gas Leak

PORTER RANCH (CBSLA.com) -- Thousands of Porter Ranch residents have left their homes to escape a massive natural gas leak in their neighborhood.

But others including Ginger Webber are staying put because she said she cannot afford to move even if she wanted to.

She's battling a long-term health condition and said it is even worse now. "I have a lung condition that causes chronic bronchitis. And since this, I've been coughing almost nonstop." Talking can be a challenge for her.

Webber said her health prevents her from working but is doing what she can to get by. "I do errands for people - things that wives used to do and don't have time to do now."

On Wednesday, the Southern California Gas Company opened a new resource center to help residents with temporary relocation and file claims.

But Webber said the utility company has not been responsive. "I can't get them to return my phone calls."

This is week 7 of the leak, and there is no end in sight. The Gas Company said it had a total of 4,000 requests for relocation, and 1,700 families have relocated.

The Gas Company said it works hard to help residents cope with the gas leak and will address Webber's situation and help her resolve it immediately.

For updates regarding progress on repair efforts, click here or call (818) 435-7707.