Washington County Hazmat Called After Tank Filled With Home Heating Oil Spills During Ida Flooding
SMITH TOWNSHIP (KDKA) -- Washington County hazmat has been called after a tank filled with home heating oil spilled into Raccoon Creek.
Washington County officials say crews are in Smith Township on Wednesday for the spill off McNair Avenue, which has also prompted the Department of Environmental Protection to respond.
The Washington County Public Safety director said the tank, which is outside, spilled during the flooding from the remnant of Hurricane Ida, which pounded the area.
Officials are trying to contain the spill, and evaluating how much of the oil spilled into the creek. About 10 homes had to be evacuated because of the spill.
Elsewhere in the county, Burgettstown declared an emergency in the borough due to the flooding from Ida.
WATCH: Amy Wadas Reports
Floodwaters filled the parking lot of the McDonald's and IGA grocery store. Some cars were also partially submerged underwater, even one vehicle was stranded in the street.
Stores in a borough business plaza were closed because no one could get into work. Residents couldn't believe what they saw.
"I haven't seen it this bad since 2004 when Hurricane Ivan came through," said Sherri Gilson.
The garage at the Burgettstown Borough Building was damaged due to the flooding, which caused upwards of $12,000 in damages.
Crews managed to get their vehicles out, but Emergency Management Coordinator Tom Repole said some equipment was still lost.
"We lost the air compressor, we lost pressure washer, generators," Repole said.
