ON THIS SITUATION? WELL, JENNIFER, IT’S HAPPENING RIGHT UPSTREAM FROM OUR LOCATION HERE AND AS YOU CAN SEE NOW, LIVE FROM WLKY CHOPPER HD, ONE OF THOSE BARGES IS STUCK AGAINST THE DAM AND PARTIALLY UNDER WATER. LOUISVILLE EMERGENCY MANAGER BEN SAYS IT’S CARRYING 1400 TONS OF METHANOL. AND ACCORDING TO THE CDC, METHANOL IS A TOXIC ALCOHOL. HOWEVER, LOUISVILLE WATER SAYS THIS INCIDENT IS DOWN RIVER FROM WATER INTAKE. THERE IS NO IMPACT TO LOUISVILLE WATER’S WATER INTAKE OR WATER QUALITY. SO YOUR WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK AND USE. THE REST OF THE BARGES, BY THE WAY, CARRYING SOYBEANS, CORN AND OIL. LOUISVILLE FIRE HAS THE SPORT HAS DEPLOYED HAZMAT MONITORING AND LMPD AND LAPD ARE SURVEYING THE AREA UNTIL THE BARGES PRIVATE COMPANY ARRIVES ON SCENE. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS TELLS US THEY ARE COORDINATING WITH THAT PRIVATE BARGE COMPANY TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CLEAN UP THIS MESS AND GET THOSE BARGES OFF THE DAM AND OUT OF THE RIVER. AND WE ARE LIVE TONIGHT AT MACK OPEN DAM. I’M RANDAL
Several barges loose on Ohio River in Louisville, 1 carrying methanol is sinking
Ten barges broke free on the Ohio River, emergency crews confirmed, and one carrying methanol is sinking.The Kentucky Emergency and Environment cabinet said 10 of 11 barges got loose from the tug Tuesday.Three barges are stuck at the McAlpine Dam. They said the one of those is partially underwater and is carrying 1,400 tons of methanol. The CDC says methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source.It's unclear whether the methanol is leaking, but the EEC says if it is, it should dilute quickly. However, they would expect some fish to die. Louisville Water says this incident is downriver from water intake, and that there is no impact to water quality and water is safe.The rest of the barges were carrying soy bean oil and corn. The state's emergency management team and the coast guard will determine the next steps. Louisville Fire has deployed hazmat monitoring and LMPD and LFD are surveying the area until the barges' private company arrives on scene.It could take awhile to get all the barges out. There was a similar incident near Louisville on Christmas Day 2018. It took six months to get all 15 barges out of the water.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —Ten barges broke free on the Ohio River, emergency crews confirmed, and one carrying methanol is sinking.
The Kentucky Emergency and Environment cabinet said 10 of 11 barges got loose from the tug Tuesday.
Three barges are stuck at the McAlpine Dam.
They said the one of those is partially underwater and is carrying 1,400 tons of methanol. The CDC says methanol is a toxic alcohol that is used industrially as a solvent, pesticide, and alternative fuel source.
It's unclear whether the methanol is leaking, but the EEC says if it is, it should dilute quickly. However, they would expect some fish to die.
Louisville Water says this incident is downriver from water intake, and that there is no impact to water quality and water is safe.
The rest of the barges were carrying soy bean oil and corn.
The state's emergency management team and the coast guard will determine the next steps.
Louisville Fire has deployed hazmat monitoring and LMPD and LFD are surveying the area until the barges' private company arrives on scene.
It could take awhile to get all the barges out. There was a similar incident near Louisville on Christmas Day 2018. It took six months to get all 15 barges out of the water.