On May 13, 2003, a lightning strike during heavy rain storms, caused a fire and a catastrophic release of crude oil from several tanks located at a tank farm 1/2 mile North of US 66 on 337th Road in Cowley County, Kansas. Local fire departments responded to the incident. Approximately 260 barrels of crude oil was either consumed in the fire or discharged down gradient to Cedar Creek. Due to heavy rains and flooding conditions the oil traveled several miles downstream, oiling vegetation along the way.