March 28, 2019
Update on ITC Deer Park Incident
What is the danger?
As clean-up efforts continue at the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC) in the City of Deer Park, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management continues to work with local, state and federal partners to keep residents informed. Around the clock monitoring and support at the Harris County Emergency Operations Center continues during the ongoing operations to remove the remaining chemicals at the ITC Plant.
Harris County Public Health (HCPH), Harris County Pollution Control (HCPC), the Texas National Guard’s, 6th Civil Support Team, Harris County and City of Houston Hazardous Materials teams, EPA, TCEQ and Turnstone Environmental Health & Safety continue air quality monitoring.
Updated air quality monitoring information is available at
https://www.readyharris.org/Incidents/Deer-Park-FireWater
Currently, there are
no known or suspected impacts to drinking water. There are no water intakes on the Houston Ship Channel.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has updated its fish consumption advisory for the upper Houston Ship Channel and now recommends
no one eat any species of fish or crab from the ship channel or San Jacinto River north of the State Highway 146 Fred Hartman Bridge.
Closures
PRECINCT 2: As a precaution, Harris County Commissioner Precinct 2 closed the following parks with waterfronts in the ITC incident area. Scheduled events at these parks are canceled until further notice:
- Bay Area Park in Houston (Bay Area Community Center is open)
- Clear Lake Park in Seabrook
- Sylvan Beach in La Porte
- Juan Seguin in La Porte
- Rio Villa Nature Trail
- Meadow Brook
- River Terrace
- Moncrief Park
- The Lynchburg Ferry remains closed to the public.
LA PORTE: Seabreeze Park and Klein Retreat in La Porte will remain closed until further notice.
BAYTOWN: The City of Baytown reports, based on preliminary results from TCEQ and the Galveston Bay Foundation Water Sampling, the Baytown Nature Center will now be open.
Health Recommendations
According to Harris County Public Health (HCPH), and based on current air monitoring reports, there continues to be a low health risk for the community.
If you do not have a health care provider, the Harris Health System’s Ask-My-Nurse helpline remains open today, from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., to help answer health questions. The number is 713-634-1110.
What you should do:
- Listen to local officials for updates on the situation and for any actions you may need to take.
- Monitor local weather forecasts: National Weather Service
- If you do not feel well, contact your healthcare provider, or, if more serious, call 9-1-1.
Where you can learn more: