FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2019
Update on Houston Ship Channel Barge Collision
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) is closely following the response to Friday’s barge collision on the Houston Ship Channel.
The incident response is being conducted under the supervision of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). While this is outside of the county’s jurisdiction, impacts to the environment from the spill may affect residents. Harris County will continue to monitor the situation.
Friday, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Genesis River, a liquefied natural gas carrier, collided with the tug “Voyager”, which was towing two barges containing a gasoline blend called Reformate. Each barge carried 25,000 barrels of Reformate. One barge was punctured, spilling 8,000-9,000 barrels into the channel. The other barge was capsized and it is unknown if the product is leaking.
The barges have been secured and responders have deployed 1,600 feet of boom – a floating barrier to contain the spilled product – around the barges. Additional boom is being deployed and staged to protect sensitive areas along the bay. The Houston Ship Channel was partially closed to vessel traffic to help contain the spread and may be fully re-opened on Saturday.
Responders from the United States Coast Guard, Port of Houston, the Texas General Land Office (GLO), and other agencies immediately began air monitoring in the area yesterday. A strong gasoline smell was noticeable in the communities in the immediate area of the incident. Residents in communities as far away as Friendswood and Pearland, also reported a gasoline odor.
Since the incident, authorities conducting air monitoring performed real-time air monitoring in community areas west of the incident site including Seabrook, La Porte, El Lago, Pasadena, Clear Lake Shores, Friendswood, Pearland, League City, Texas City, and Bacliff. Tests have found no detectable concentrations of benzene, percentage Lower Explosive Limit, toluene, and xylene in the community. The table and graphics below show the chemicals that have been tested as well as the locations where samples were taken.
While GLO is not recommending any protective actions, residents experiencing medical impacts from the odors should call 9-1-1 immediately.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Director of HCOHSEM, said “I thankful to the Coast Guard and Texas GLO for their quick response to this incident. The health and safety of the community is always my primary concern. Harris County will continue to monitor this situation until the vessels and their contents are secured. We are ready to assist however we can.”
Response and clean-up operations will likely continue along the Ship Channel for a number of days. The gasoline odor may linger during this period. Residents should report strong odors to the 24/7 air monitoring hotline at: (281) 757-3017. Residents can find information on the response at www.bayport-response.com.
A 24/7 claims hotline is available at: (800) 241-9010. Before filing a claim, individuals are encouraged to seek independent legal counsel.
HCOHSEM will continue to monitor this incident with its partners. Additional updates will be issued as needed.
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