FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2019
Harris County Offers ITC Incident Update
(Houston, TX) – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) continue to monitor response efforts regarding the incident at Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) in the City of Deer Park. More than 25 local, state and federal partners are working around the clock at the Harris County Emergency Operations Center in support of the response.
Earlier this evening, ITC reported they have begun pumping pyrolysis gasoline (pygas) out of Tank 80-7. Pumping began shortly before 3:30 pm at an average rate of 1,300 barrels per hour. In addition, vacuum trucks continue to remove liquid from inside the ditch on the west side of Tidal Road.
Since this has been an evolving situation, our partners at Harris County Public Health recommend that individuals who have health concerns should contact their healthcare provider or if more serious, call 911. Based on current health-related data from multiple sources, there continues to be overall a low health risk for the general public.
If you do not have a health care provider, the Harris Health System’s Ask-My-Nurse helpline remains open 8AM to 8:30PM, 7 days a week to help answer health questions. The number is 713-634-1110.