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 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, rail tankers, etc.
EPA continued coordination with Southern Plains Continuity Operations Plan to complete the transfer of the remaining contents of the 26,000-gallon anhydrous ammonia bulk tank and to repair the leaking bulk propane tank pressure valve.
EPA and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) are jointly coordinating and monitoring the cleanup of oil from the Union Pacific rail cars. Union Pacific's contractors are using a vacuum truck to remove oil from the rail yard and along the shoreline of the adjacent creek, and contaminated soil is being excavated along the rail area.
The Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team arrived and requested a briefing from EPA regarding current HazMat issues. EPA assisted the USAR team with an assessment of a damaged aboveground storage tank and propane tank located near their base of operations and found both tanks were empty. USAR also requested assistance with assessment of pressure cylinders that they encountered near a NAPA Auto Parts store. EPA identified the owner of the cylinders who is now in the process of removing them. EPA is coordinating with the owners of an overturned tractor trailer containing aviation motor oil. The owner, located in California, is making arrangements to transfer the products to another transport vehicle with EPA's assistance.
Reconnaissance of impacted areas continues, including previously assessed situations to confirm their status has not changed. EPA has also confirmed that the Risk Management Plan facilities located near Greensburg did not receive damage that would cause a release.
EPA is coordinating with KDHE and local officials to determine a suitable staging area for hazardous materials that are recovered. EPA received verbal notification that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) received an Action Request Form from the State for EPA to manage hazardous substance, oil spills, orphaned containers, household hazardous waste, and white goods under Emergency Support Function 10 of the National Response Plan. Upon approval of estimated costs by the State, EPA expects a Mission Assignment to proceed.
Meetings are being held to determine the best course of action for the PCB-containing electrical transformers damaged by the storm. EPA personnel on the scene received information from Regional EPA Toxic Substances Control Act personnel regarding cleanup levels and criteria for the PCB transformer oil.
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 FEMA. EPA was notified verbally that an Action Request Form was recieved by FEMA from the State to address hazardous substances, oil spills, orphaned containers, household hazardous waste, and white goods. EPA will submit an estimated cost for the tasks for the State to review and consider.
Meetings concerning the cleanup and disposal of PCB-containing transformers and contaminated soil/debris will continue as a high priority. KDHE and Kiowa County officials have approved a plan to burn debris, including construction and demolition materials, at the landfill located two miles north of Greensburg. EPA will be available to conduct air monitoring as requested by KDHE.
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