U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT Tuscaloosa Tornado Response - Removal Polrep Initial Removal Polrep UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Region IV
Subject:	POLREP #1 Initial POLREP Tuscaloosa Tornado Response B4H2 Tuscaloosa, AL Latitude: 33.1784604 Longitude: -87.5627207
To:
From:	Leo Francendese, On Scene Coordinator
Date:	5/3/2011
Reporting Period:	5/1/2011 thru 5/2/2011
1. Introduction   1.1 Background     Site Number: B4H2    Contract Number:   D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:   Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Emergency Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit: Mobilization Date: 5/1/2011    Start Date: 5/1/2011 Demob Date:      Completion Date:   CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID: ERNS No.:    State Notification: FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #: 1.1.1 Incident Category This is a response to tornado and high wind damage in areas within the City of Tuscaloosa, which occurred on April 27, 2011. The tornado, estimated to have been a mile wide, damaged several industrial businesses and commercial facilties and lead to a release of hazardous substances at areas of concern. In coordination with the ESF-10 Alabama Tornado Response IC, the OSC for this response activiated a CERCLA response.  The OSC was acting as Division Supervisor for Division West.  This limited action was taken because a mission assignment only existed for assessment and not for response actions.  1.1.2 Site Description Current areas of concern are the industrial facilities located within the Kauloosa Industrial Park, primarily a transformer PCB release outside of a former meat packing facility, additional transformers scattered about the area and an exposed pit of suspected waste oil material at a storage facilty. EPA OSC Francendese, START and ERRS mobilized to the sites to conduct an emergency response at these identified areas of concern. 1.1.2.1 Location Kauloosa Industrial Park, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1.1.2.2 Description of Threat On April 27, 2011, the primary locations of concern received damage due to tornadic activity (F4) and extremely high winds. Damage sustained by the locations include downed transformer poles with compromised transformers, overturned drums, open pits and structural damage to facilities.  Release of hazardous substances has occurred at the industrial complex.  Potential for human exposure and migration due to precipitation events exists.  2. Current Activities   2.1 Operations Section     2.1.2 Response Actions to Date ERRS arrived on scene at approximately 1200 hours to offload heavy equipment and to conduct reconnaissance at the properties of concern. Work commenced at approximately 1300 hours. ERRS cut all wiring from three compromised transformers to easily remove the items from the spill site. Once removed, the transformers were covered with poly and sealed. ERRS utilized a mini-excavator to scrape saturated soil from the area and two other spill areas near the transformer PCB spill. START conducted air monitoring during the clean up efforts. Saturated soil was placed within lined 55-gallon drums and will be removed by Alabama Power personnel. OSC is coordinating with Alabama Power POC.  Alabama Power POC arrived on site Tuesday at 0800, May 3rd and OSC is sharing intel for leaking transformers within the complex.  Alabama Power is providing response contractor as rain event is occurring. ERRS is overpacking 2 vulnerable caustic drums and will vacuum out probable waste oil from exposed pit using mobilized vac-truck. OSC coordinated effort with City Engineers and GIS staff to generate several maps to support further assessment of facilities and to identify drainage pathways for both the industrial complex and the path of the tornado thru Tuscaloosa.  Current plan is to transition information to ADEM to continue assessments along the remaining 90% of the storm track as part of the demobilization plan for the overarching Alabama Tornado Response.   2.2 Planning Section     2.2.1 Anticipated Activities OSC expects to finalize action at end of day Tuesday the 5th and demobilize on Wednesday. OSC will conduct exit debriefing with City of Tuscaloosa and County IC depending on participants availability.   2.3 Logistics Section     No information available at this time.   2.4 Finance Section     No information available at this time.   2.5 Other Command Staff     No information available at this time. 3. Participating Entities   3.1 Unified Command 3.2 Cooperating Agencies ADEM is supporting the EPA with further assessment at the locations and providing oversight of clean up efforts. 4. Personnel On Site   1 EPA 2 START 5 ERRS 5. Definition of Terms   No information available at this time. 6. Additional sources of information   No information available at this time. 7. Situational Reference Materials   No information available at this time.