Operations have moved to a 24-hour operating period.  Ice was reported to be covering approximately 80% of the river and was approximately 1” thick.  The fire was reported to be 85 – 90% contained.  It was reported that there was an area of soil, approximately 35’ x 115’ that was 75% saturated with oil. 

A helicopter was staged at a helispot at Valley High School located in Smithers, WV.  Overflights of the site were conducted when weather permitted.  Aerial photographs of the spill area were obtained in order to assess the scene.  It was planned that the helicopter would conduct an additional overflight on 2/19/2015.  The helicopter also planned to fly upstream and downstream over the Kanawha River to visually investigate any oily presence on the river.  The Kanawha River remained closed to maritime traffic.

During the evening of 2/17/2015, the UC was restructured and Operations and Public Information were moved to a separate location from the UC.    A Site Safety Plan and Community Air Monitoring Plan have been completed.  The state EOC in Charleston, WV closed at 0800 hours on 2/18/2015.  WVDEP representatives maintain a presence in the UC.

Two tractor trailer loads of drinking water were delivered to City Hall for distribution to the residents who are under the boil order.  Power and water service was restored to the affected areas.  Approximately 100 – 225 people were still displaced by the evacuation.  The number was difficult to ascertain due to some of the residents staying with family and not in CSX provided hotels or volunteer provided shelters.  Some residents were also returning to their homes despite the evacuation order that was still in place.

A dead muskrat was discovered near the spill location.  The West Virginia Fish and Wildlife Services were contacted.  A second muskrat was inadvertently killed during upright of one of the derailed tanks.

The fire continued to burn throughout the night and following day.  CSX confirmed that 19 tanks were initially involved in the fires, either on fire, torn and leaking product, or soot covered.  Due to the continued fire, no pumping activities were completed.  The temperature of the product was too high to allow for pumping activities.  Firefighting efforts were put on hold during the night hours due to the low temperatures.  Equipment was moved into place during the day, to begin the re-railment process on 2/17/2015, but no re-railment was completed due to daylight constraints.  On 2/18/2015, a car was re-railed at the site.    One crane was removed from service after a winch cable broke; there were no injuries due to the break in the cable.  Workers tried unsuccessfully to separate cars 27 and 28 from each other.  Permission was given to cut the twisted portion of the tankers as long as a Safety Officer was present during the work, continuous air monitoring was conducted in the immediate area of the cutting, and a Hot Work Permit was issued.  Cars that were not involved in the fire were moved away from the spill site.

CSX was working with residents of the affected area to obtain access permits to shore up the bridge access to their properties to facilitate the movement of large equipment for the cleanup activities that will be necessary after the tanks are removed.  Permission was verbally granted by the resident with the condition that no press or onlookers were allowed on his property.

Recovered oil from the site was being delivered to a frak tank storage farm at the CSX facility in Handley, WV.  The material was being stored for the duration of the spill clean-up.  After the spill clean-up it would be sent for waste characterization testing and disposal.   

WVAWC continued to sample the raw and processed water hourly and provided reports every 12 hours to the UC.  Their agreement with the UC allowed them to keep operating as long as results were clean and they assured the UC that they would report immediately if they obtained any negative results.

CSX’s contractors continued to deploy skimmers in the creek and continued to vacuum loose oil from the creek surface.  It was reported that an estimated 8,032 gallons of material, which was estimated to be 1/3 product and 2/3 water, was collected.  Two 200-feet sections of boom were deployed in the river.  Concrete 40# weights were used to secure the boom. 

A meeting was held at the EOC to discuss the plan for displaced residents and their re-entry to their homes.  The meeting was attended by the UC and the local Fayette County LEPC.  A plan was discussed and would be implemented after it was approved and the conditions for re-entry were met. 

CSX is the potentially responsible party.
CSX has been responsive, employing multiple cleanup contractors and environmental consultants to advise them on the technical aspects of the response. CSX has also provided their hazmat team and security on-site. OSC Matlock will coordinate with EPA and USCG enforcement personnel, as appropriate.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

U.S. fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA)

WV Army National Guard Civil Support Team (ANG CST)

WV State Police

Montgomery Police Department

WV Department of Highways (WV DOH)

WV Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS)

WV American Water Corporation (WVAWC)

Red Cross