On August 19, 2007, after heavy rains from remnants of Tropical Depression Erin flooded parts of Kingfisher County, Oklahoma, several oil spills were reported to have occurred in the area. Local media aired video of at least active spill flowing on flood waters from nearby Kingfisher Creek through the town of Kingfisher. Kingfisher Creek flows into the Cimarron River, which flows into the Arkansas River.
On August 20, 2007, EPA Region 6 mobilized OSC Franklin and the EPA START contractor to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to assess the reported oil spills and coordinate with FEMA and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ). EPA and START conducted an aerial survey of the affected area with ODEQ Environmental Programs Manager Bill Kropf, and observed only two spills: a small localized spill onto soil and roadside ditches from a oil production facility, and a similar small localized spill from a cooker manufacturing shop. EPA and LDEQ observed clean up activities underway at the oil production facility. Neither spill had entered Kingfisher Creek, nor was there any observable sign of oiling of other homes, structures or areas of Kingfisher. Furthermore, an extensive aerial assessment of the creek showed no oiling of the creek or adjacent shoreline. EPA and LDEQ will conduct a site visit on August 21, 2007.
