United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region VII
POLLUTION REPORT


Date:
Sunday, June 10, 2007
From:
Janice Kroone


Subject: 

Final POLREP
Greensburg Tornado
Greensburg, KS
Latitude: 37.6028000
Longitude: -99.2928000


POLREP No.:
10
Site #:
MA#1699DR-KS-EPA-01
Reporting Period:
5/29/07-6/9/07
D.O. #:
Start Date:
5/5/2007
Response Authority:
Stafford Act
Mob Date:
5/5/2007
Response Type:
Emergency
Demob Date:
 
NPL Status:
Non NPL
Completion Date:
 
Incident Category:
Removal Action
CERCLIS ID #:
Contract #
RCRIS ID #:
 

Site Description

Severe storms with rain, hail, high winds, and tornadoes moved through eight counties in central/western Kansas during the evening of May 4, 2007. The city of Greensburg and outlying rural areas (Kiowa County, approximately 1,500 residents) was hit directly by an F5 tornado. This particular tornado tracked through six counties (starting in Comanche, Kiowa, Edwards, Stafford, Pratt, and Barton Counties).  EPA dispatched three On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) to the scene with the response truck and mobile command post, and they reported observing scattered miscellaneous hazardous waste, including solvents, paints, propane tanks, chlorine cylinders, anhydrous ammonia tanks, derailed rail tankers, etc.


Current Activities

EPA has transitioned collection of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and white goods to Kiowa County as of June 8, 2007.

EPA has transitioned collection of air samples, air monitoring, and hazardous material response to the Kansas Department of Health & Environment as of June 9, 2007.

Bulk asbestos samples were taken at six residential locations. Property owners will be contacted with the results through the EPA Region 7 Office in Kansas City.

Extraction of Freon from white goods has begun.

As of June 8, 2007, the total HHW items collected was 36,728.


Planned Removal Actions

As of June 9, 2007, the EPA team has demobilized from Greensburg.  EPA is prepared to offer technical assistance as needed.


response.epa.gov/greensburg