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Response to Hurricane Katrina
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Hurricane Recovery
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09/24/05 - 09/25/05
Due to Hurricane Rita, EPA has scaled down operations in MS and AL for the weekend. All collected hazardous waste has been secured at the collection points throughout MS and AL, and it is anticipated that operations will resume on Sunday in Mobile and Monday in MS.
EPA is operating under three divisions that were formed to address Hancock (Division A), Harrison (Division B), and Jackson, MS and Mobile and Baldwin, AL (Division C) counties, which are the most affected areas along the coast. The US Coast Guard is serving as liaison between EPA and the three divisions. Coastal MS experienced storm surge flooding of 18 to 22 feet above normal tide levels and significant rainfall amounts during Hurricane Katrina.
In response to the Hurricane, more than 385 incident responses have been conducted by EPA and the US Coast Guard since the beginning of EPA's involvement following the destruction left by Hurricane Katrina along the MS and AL coastline. Of those, 375 were closed due to no further action required or a removal action occurred. An incident response is defined as an investigation of a National Response Center Report, contacting facilities, and reporting hazmat debris while conducting land or water assessment in the affected areas.
A total of 186 personnel, which includes personnel from EPA, US Coast Guard (USCG), EPA and US Coast Guard contractors, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the City of Mobile, AL are assisting with environmental and hazardous waste issues in response to Hurricane Katrina in MS and AL.
Assessment and Removal Team Activity
Total debris recovered as part of EPA operations in MS and AL includes 1,438 drums, 745 tanks, 1,053 cylinders, 17 fuel cells, 6,314 other containers, 718,216 gallons of fuel removed, and 49,750 gallons of oil/water recovered.
Water Systems
An EPA mobile drinking water laboratory is stationed in Gulfport to assist the MS Department of Health with analysis of drinking water samples. The lab has processed more than 258 drinking water samples and continues to analyze new samples each day, however, the lab is temporarily inoperable until the passing of Hurricane Rita.
EPA personnel are expected to conduct a Water Quality Survey along the MS Gulf Coast, but Hurricane Rita has delayed the survey for the immediate future. The study area encompasses four major bay systems on the MS coast, including Bay Casotte (including Bangs Lake), the Pascagoula/West Pascagoula River systems, the Back Bay of Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis, and the Pearl River.
Wastewater systems that continue to be inoperable include Dauphin Island, AL, and Eagle Point, Delisle and Oaks Development in MS. Affected wastewater systems in Long Beach/Pass Christian, Pascagoula, East Biloxi, Waveland and Diamondhead, MS are operating with limited capacity.
Air Monitoring
EPA personnel and equipment have been deployed this week to assist MDEQ with air monitoring. Air monitoring sites have been set-up at Stennis Air Base, Gulfport and Pascagoula, MS, and particulate matter at the 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter levels will be monitored, along with metals analysis and asbestos. Due to the fragile nature of the air sampling equipment, it has been removed and secured and will be redeployed after the passing of Hurricane Rita. Total samples collected at this time are three PM 2.5 samples, three PM 10 samples, and three asbestos samples. Sampling data will be compiled and the data will be released when it becomes available.
• Emergency Fuel Waiver for AL, FL, LA, MS