Bradley Falls, Cove Creek possibly contaminated by gas tanker rollover in Polk County
SALUDA - An early-morning rollover involving a gasoline tanker truck caused a fire on July 13 that shut down Interstate 26 in both directions for hours and also caused gas to flow into nearby mountain streams, according to a Facebook post from Polk County Government.
The accident happened around mile marker 60 on I-26 East. Saluda Fire & Rescue said it was dispatched to the accident at 5:29 a.m.
Just before noon, Polk County Government's post said that Polk County Health and Human Resources Agency, along with Polk County Emergency Management in conjunction with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health and the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources, was issuing "a precautionary advisory pending a water quality investigation for the Cove Creek and Bradley Falls."
Saluda Fire & Rescue responded to the tanker rollover in the early-morning hours of July 13. A Facebook post from Saluda Fire & Rescue said the driver was conscious and alert and was transported to Spartanburg Regional by Regional One Air Medical with burn injuries.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office reported that the North Carolina Department of Transportation diverted all eastbound traffic onto U.S. 25, and the South Carolina Department of Transportation diverted westbound traffic onto S.C. 11. The Sheriff's Office also said that a Hazardous Materials Response Team from the Asheville Fire Department was at the scene.
Polk County Government's post gave more details about the possible contamination of Cove Creek and Bradley Falls and provided a list of things to be mindful of:
At this time, you may witness a petroleum smell in the air and might notice an oil sheen on the water.
Bradley Falls is currently closed until further notice due to potential fuel fumes and potential petroleum product moving downstream.
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality is currently investigating to determine the extent of the spill to mitigate the exposure to Cove Creek and those bodies of water connected to Cove Creek.
Residents and visitors to Green River area should be mindful of any petroleum smell or sheen and report that to Polk County Communications at 828-894-0187.
On July 14, Polk County Health Director Josh Kennedy told the Times-News that members of the Department of Environmental Quality were out taking samples of the water on both July 13 and July 14.
"They were out yesterday investigating the extent of the spill. They are out again this morning," Kennedy said on July 14. "So, I'm waiting for updates on samples that were taken and status of the downward trajectory of any spill-related material. We should have an update this afternoon on the extent of containment. They put some booms out yesterday. We're trying to keep everything as close to the spill as possible to keep it from spreading further downstream."
The July 13 Polk County Government post said until the water is tested and declared safe, environmental and public health officials recommend the following:
Avoid swimming, wading or fishing in Cove Creek until further notice.
Avoid skin contact with water, soil and sediment in or near the river.
If skin comes in contact with contaminated sediment or water, thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water.
Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Gas tanker rollover possibly contaminates Bradley Falls, Cove Creek
