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Tag Archives: Natural Disaster

March 4-8 is Missouri Severe Weather Awareness Week

In Missouri spring means barbecues, dogwoods and fishing expeditions. Unfortunately, it can also mean hail, lightning, strong winds and even floods. If your home, business or community is affected by severe weather, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources can help. The department’s Natural Disaster Resources webpage offers publication and fact sheet links provides information on how to dispose of disaster debris, facts on open burning, reducing the impact of flooding, restoring drinking water and disaster response guidance for public water and wastewater facilities. Additional resources are also available.

If you need to report an environmental concern, the department offers an easy on-line form.  

Call the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Spill Reporting Hotline at 573-634-2436 for environmental emergencies, such as:

Environmental Emergency Responder truck at disaster scene

 

  • Oil and chemical spills.
  • Radiological and biological discharges.
  • Accidents causing releases of pollutants.
  • Fish kills.
  • Hazardous material incidents.
  • Leaking abandoned containers. 

Emergency responders staff the Spill Reporting Hotline 24/7 to provide technical assistance regarding spilled chemicals and necessary cleanup actions; work with the person or company responsible for the spill to ensure that proper cleanup is completed and impact to public health and the environment is minimized; conduct notifications to various agencies; and determine if an on-site response is needed by program staff.

Posted on Mar 04, 2013

Emergency response following severe weather

Environmental Emergency Responders are currently gathering information and prioritizing where assistance is needed most following severe weather that swept through multiple counties in Missouri on Feb. 28-29.

 

Responders mobilized to address issues in Lamar and Barton County. Areas of concern were also identified in Phelps, Dallas, Stone, Taney and Laclede counties. Responders are working with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to identify any petroleum facility damage in storm-affected areas.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency contacted the Environmental Emergency Response Spill Line to report sunken boats on Table Rock Lake. Emergency staff are working with the Port of Kimberling Marina.

 

The Southwest Regional Office staff are making contacts with local entities and municipalities to identify any potential infrastructure needs.

 

Damage has been reported in Barry, Barton, Cedar, Dallas, Stone, Cape Girardeau, Bolinger, Stoddard, Scott, Laclede, Phelps and Taney counties as well as the cities of Kirksville and Cameron. Shelters are open in Laclede, Dallas and Stone counties.

 

Department staff and emergency responders are committed to assisting local authorities as they address issues in their communities.

 

To report an environmental emergency, including fuel spills, please contact the department’s spill line at 573-634-2436.

 

Disaster related publications and fact sheets are available at Disaster Resources (scroll down the page to the heading: Disaster Resources).

 

For more information, visit the Environmental Services Program.

 

 

Posted on Feb 29, 2012

After a Disaster –Household Chemicals and Household Hazardous Wastes

After a Disaster –Household Chemicals and Household Hazardous Wastes:

Disasters may leave behind damaged or unusable household chemicals. Products labeled POISON, DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION contain hazardous chemicals. These household hazardous wastes should be separated from other wastes before disposal. Extreme caution should be used when cleaning up damaged containers. Wear rubber gloves, avoid breathing fumes or dust and only work in a well-ventilated area. Never burn these wastes. Counties and municipalities are encouraged to provide collection programs. If one is not available, household hazardous waste may be disposed of at a permitted sanitary landfill.

In order to make the transition back to normal life easier, both individuals and governments need to have plans in place for dealing with the solid waste that accumulates during and after a disaster.  Check with your county and city officials for locations where debris is being collected.

Items like plant waste, building debris, dead animals, household hazardous wastes and tires have other options available to them besides being dumped into a landfill.

If you would like more information on open burning or other post-disaster solid waste management, please visit the Solid Waste Management Program web site.

Permitted Facilities;

Construction and Demolition Waste;

e-cycle Missouri;

Household Hazardous Waste;

Schedule of Local Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events;

Reduce. Reuse, Recycle;

Scrap Tires and Illegal Dumping

If you would like to receive information regarding hazardous waste management, please visit the Hazardous Waste Program web site.  

Posted on Sep 02, 2011

Reduce Flooding Impact – Waste Pesticides

 Reducing the Impact of Flooding –

Agricultural Chemicals – Waste Pesticides

When Flooding is Inevitable

Unlike other natural disasters that strike Missouri (e.g. tornadoes), severe flooding usually can be predicted, giving those in the effected areas the opportunity to prepare. One important form of preparation is to take steps to minimize the environmental effects agricultural chemicals would have if exposed to flood waters. The suggestions below are taken from Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Agricultural Chemicals, a fact sheet created by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Waste Pesticides

  • Protect all pesticides including any unusable or unwanted herbicides, insecticides or other pesticides from rising water or other water damage.
  • Repackage or overpack all paper bags to protect dry product from water damage.
  • Repackage or overpack older containers, liquid products or containers in poor condition to protect from water damage.
  • Use rigid plastic or metal containers to repackage or overpack containers.
  • Store pesticides damaged by water or otherwise rendered unusable for proper disposal. Do not throw pesticides into trash or dump onto ground.
  • Contact the waste pesticide collection program for information on the disposal of damaged or unusable pesticides.

More information regarding reducing the impact of flooding regarding other agricultural chemicals is available in the department’s fact sheets:

Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Agricultural Chemicals

In addition to agricultural chemicals, those living in rural areas affected by flooding should take steps to secure propane and other fuel tanks. Additional information related to securing and preparing propane tanks is available in the department’s fact sheet,

Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Propane Tanks

To report an environmental emergency, including fuel spills, please contact the department’s spill line at 573-634-2436.

For more information, please visit the Environmental Services Program web site.  

 

Posted on Aug 30, 2011

Reduce Flooding Impact – Bulk Liquid Fertilizer or Pesticides

Reducing the Impact of Flooding –

Agricultural Chemicals – Bulk Liquid Fertilizer or Pesticides

When Flooding is Inevitable

Unlike other natural disasters that strike Missouri (e.g. tornadoes), severe flooding usually can be predicted, giving those in the effected areas the opportunity to prepare. One important form of preparation is to take steps to minimize the environmental effects agricultural chemicals would have if exposed to flood waters. The suggestions below are taken from Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Agricultural Chemicals, a fact sheet created by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Bulk Liquid Fertilizer or Pesticides

  • Lock and protect valves.
  • Close and lock site gauge valves on bulk fertilizer storage tanks.
  • Inventory all stored products.
  • Accelerate or postpone shipments.
  • Prominently display firm manager’s name and telephone number.
  • Road restrictions could limit the speed at which product can be removed.
  • All agricultural chemical bulk tanks should be anchored in some manner if empty.

 

More information regarding reducing the impact of flooding regarding other agricultural chemicals is available in the department’s fact sheets:

Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Agricultural Chemicals

In addition to agricultural chemicals, those living in rural areas affected by flooding should take steps to secure propane and other fuel tanks. Additional information related to securing and preparing propane tanks is available in the department’s fact sheet,

Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Propane Tanks

To report an environmental emergency, including fuel spills, please contact the department’s spill line at 573-634-2436.

For more information, please visit the Environmental Services Program web site. 

Posted on Aug 23, 2011

Reducing Flooding Impact – Bulk Dry Fertilizer

Reducing the Impact of Flooding –

Agricultural Chemicals – Bulk Dry Fertilizer

 When Flooding is Inevitable

Unlike other natural disasters that strike Missouri (e.g. tornadoes), severe flooding usually can be predicted, giving those in the effected areas the opportunity to prepare. One important form of preparation is to take steps to minimize the environmental effects agricultural chemicals would have if exposed to flood waters. The suggestions below are taken from Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Agricultural Chemicals, a fact sheet created by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Bulk Dry Fertilizer

  • Construct barriers at flood water entrances to prevent water from entering bins.
  • Delay shipments or temporarily move product to higher ground.
  • Spring road restrictions could limit the speed at which product can be removed.

More information regarding reducing the impact of flooding regarding other agricultural chemicals is available in the department’s fact sheets:

Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Agricultural Chemicals

In addition to agricultural chemicals, those living in rural areas affected by flooding should take steps to secure propane and other fuel tanks. Additional information related to securing and preparing propane tanks is available in the department’s fact sheet,

Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Propane Tanks

To report an environmental emergency, including fuel spills, please contact the department’s spill line at 573-634-2436.

 

For more information, please visit the Environmental Services Program web site.

 

 

Posted on Jul 12, 2011

Reduce Flooding Impact – Pesticide Containers

Reducing the Impact of Flooding –

Agricultural Chemicals – Small Packaged Pesticide Containers

When Flooding is Inevitable

Unlike other natural disasters that strike Missouri (e.g. tornadoes), severe flooding usually can be predicted, giving those in the effected areas the opportunity to prepare. One important form of preparation is to take steps to minimize the environmental effects agricultural chemicals would have if exposed to flood waters. The suggestions below are taken from Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Agricultural Chemicals, a fact sheet created by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Small Packaged Pesticide Containers

  • Keep containers off the floor and secured.
  • Inventory products.
  • Move grain fumigants to an area not within the flood zone.
  • Move products to an area protected from flood waters and away from drains.
  • Postpone incoming shipments.

More information regarding reducing the impact of flooding regarding other agricultural chemicals is available in the department’s fact sheets:

Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Agricultural Chemicals

In addition to agricultural chemicals, those living in rural areas affected by flooding should take steps to secure propane and other fuel tanks. Additional information related to securing and preparing propane tanks is available in the department’s fact sheet,

Reducing the Impact of Flooding – Propane Tanks

To report an environmental emergency, including fuel spills, please contact the department’s spill line at 573-634-2436.

For more information, please visit the Environmental Services Program web site.  

 

Posted on Jul 11, 2011