FLOODING IN KANSAS CAUSES OIL SPILL THAT EXACERBATES REGIONAL RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

1
FLOODING IN KANSAS CAUSES OIL SPILL THAT
EXACERBATES REGIONAL RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

• JULY 1 - 4, 2007

2
OIL SPILL IN COFFEYVILLE, KANSAS REFINERY JULY
1, 2007
3
PRESIDENTAL DISASTER DECLARATION

• On Monday night, July 2, President Bush declared
  a major disaster in Kansas.
• This action provided Federal aid for response
  and recovery efforts.
• By Tuesday, July 3, the refinery tank that
  overflowed and spilled the oil was secured.

4
THE OIL SPILL

• An estimated 42,000 gallons of thick crude oil
  that spilled from a refinery in Coffeyville,
  Kansas on Sunday, July 1, floated down the
  Verdigris River along with mud and debris.
• The oil slick coated everything it touched with a
  smelly, black layer.
• At present, the long-term environmental and
  health impacts are not clear.

5
THE OIL SPILL THREATENS THE OKLAHOMA WATER SUPPLY

• By Tuesday, July 3, the oil slick floating down
  the Verdigris River threatened Oologah Lake, an
  important regional reservoir and resource.
• Oologah Lake and the Verdigris River supply water
  to several Oklahoma cities.

6
FLOODING AND OIL SPILL

• Hundreds of residents in northeastern Oklahoma
  fled their homes with all they could carry as
  rising floodwaters and the Coffeyville, Kansas
  oil slick approached their towns.

7
RESPONSE TO AND RECOVERY FROM THE OIL SPILL

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
  state officials will work together with officials
  and technicians from the refinery to assess the
  amount of contamination and help speed up the
  cleanup process..

8
FLOODING MIAMI, OKLAHOMA
9
FLOODING MIAMI, OKLAHOMA
10
FLOODING MIAMI, OKLAHOMA

• The Neosho River crested at 10 m (31 ft) and
  overflowed its banks, flooding homes, businesses,
  buildings, and apartments.
• Water released from brimming upstream reservoirs
  exacerbated flooding in Miami and other cities
  located downstream.
• Flooding forced evacuation of at least 300
  residents and threatened another 200-300.
• Classes at Northeastern Oklahoma A M College
  were canceled.

11
RESPONSE TO FLOODING MIAMI, OKLAHOMA

• All utilities were underwater.
• Utility crews disconnected electricity over large
  areas to prevent the possibility of fire.
• Additional chlorine was added to the citys water
  supply to prevent contamination.
• Fire fighters were dispatched to assist
  evacuations in locations having the most
  vulnerable residents.

12
FLOODING MIAMI, OKLAHOMA
13
RECOVERY FROM THE OIL SPILL

• The Environmental Protection Agency advised
  residents to avoid touching the oil and breathing
  the odors.
• Pets and wild animals found coated with oil had
  to be cleaned up.
• Evacuees were advised to wear protective clothing
  when they returned to houses and businesses
  having mould and coated with oil.