On 4/17/2011 EPA received a request for technical support from local fire relating to a 18,000 gallon liquid propane gas (LPG) tank that was damaged by a tornado. The LPG tank was damaged on 4/16.2011 by a tornado that picked the propane tank up off of its cradle and dropped it approx. 60 to 70 feet away from its original location. The valves and the vapor relief pipes were sheared off and ice had formed around the tank. The tank was located on Thomas Farm and was used to dry tobacco, according to the owner the tank had 9,000 gallons of LPG prior to the tornado. An estimated 6,000 gallons remained judging from the freeze line during the first entry conducted by Charlotte Haz-Mat. A voluntary evacuation was issued affecting approximately 10 to 12 homes.
