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 (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 several 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, rail tankers, etc.
Initial activities included meeting with State and local officials and doing initial reconnaissance of the city.
Several rail cars containing petroleum condensate were derailed by the tornado. The cars have been placed back on the tracks, and initial cleanup of the contaminated soil has begun by a contractor hired by Union Pacific Railroad.
On May 6, 2007:
EPA stabilized a 500-gallon gasoline tank, a 100-pound chlorine cylinder, and assessed numerous other hazards.
On May 7, 2007:
At approximately 1100 hrs, a valve on an 18,000-gallon ammonia tank failed and released ammonia into the atmosphere. An area of approximately six blocks was evacuated, and OSC Davis oversaw the valve replacement operation by the responsible party, Southern Plains Continuity Operations Plan. The off-loading of contents of the ammonia tank should be completed on May 8, 2007.
Meetings are being held to determine the best course of action for the PCB-containing electrical transformers damaged by the storm.
EPA will continue to triage hazardous threats, stabilize releases, and to coordinate with State and local authorities on their hazardous materials issues. EPA is awaiting a mission assignment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The anhydrous ammonia storage tank was stabilized and valves refitted. Meetings concerning the cleanup and disposal of PCB-containing transformers and contaminated soil/debris will continue as a high priority. KDHE and Kiowa County are working to address the space needs for debris removal and disposal.
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