What we’ve heard so far

I’ve cut together the overhead video and photo released by Superior Search and Rescue, and below is compiled information that has been released through the Portage Health Foundation, on behalf of the Hancock Fire Department.

From Portage Health Foundation at 3:23 p.m., Thursday:

Around 8 a.m. a gasoline tanker tipped over at Santori’s Corner on US Highway 41 in West Hancock. The tanker immediately started spilling gasoline. It was carrying about 8,500 gallons. There have been no injuries caused by the accident and spill. Drinking water has not been affected.

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD), working in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), issued a public health advisory for the Portage Canal near Houghton/Hancock due to the fuel spill that discharged into the Portage Canal in Houghton County.

Evacuations: West Hancock from Santori’s Corner on South Lincoln Drive (Highway 41) to Michigan Street, Michigan Street up to Elm Street and down to the Jutila Center, and Minnesota and Ohio Streets between Ethel Avenue and Michigan Street.

Traffic Detours: Through traffic is requested to use alternative routes, with northbound traffic asked to follow M-203 toward McLain State Park and southbound traffic asked to take Airport Park Road through Dollar Bay. This is especially true for tractor-trailers. Local traffic is open, and White Street in Hancock is currently open to two-way traffic because of the incident. There is a potential it will be closed overnight, possibly affecting the morning commute. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and Region 8 Hazmat Team are on scene to advise on cleanup efforts. Various contractors are on-site and on route for cleanup efforts.

Due to the petroleum release and the heavy equipment operating in the area, residents are requested to avoid the area if possible.

From PHF at 5:53 p.m., Thursday:

Late this morning, the tanker was emptied of the remaining 1,960 gallons of gasoline.

U.P. Environmental Services out of Bark River arrived on the scene around 4 p.m. to remove the remaining standing gasoline that had been kept on Santori’s Corner by berms built by the Hancock Fire Department, Hancock Department of Public Works, Superior Sand and Gravel, and B&B Construction. That work is still being done to clear the scene.

Around 5 p.m. the tanker was put upright and removed from the scene.

Air monitoring is in progress in the surrounding area by Mannik & Smith Group and TriMedia Environmental & Engineering.

From PHF at 8:17 p.m., Thursday:

There will be another update coming around 9:30 p.m. with the hope of announcing that evacuated residents will be able to reoccupy their homes tonight.

The Western U.P. Health Department is providing guidance to residents who will be reoccupying their homes with the assistance of the fire department.

Highway 41 will remain closed overnight into the morning. It is likely the highway will not be open for traffic until Saturday.

Beaches along the canal will remain closed until further notice.

Due to the petroleum release and the heavy equipment operating, residents are requested to avoid the area if possible. 

From PHF at 9:34 p.m., on Thursday:

The Hancock Fire Department is lifting the evacuation order that was in place. Residents are encouraged to return home.

The Western U.P. Health Department, with assistance from the Hancock Fire Department, provided printed guidance to residents who will be reoccupying their homes.

Air monitoring will continue to take place over the coming days.

Due to the petroleum release and the heavy equipment operating in the area, residents are requested to avoid the area if possible. 

From PHF at 8:09 a.m., Friday:

Highway 41 at the scene of the spill is being remediated and replaced today. It is still hoped the road will reopen Saturday. 

Access to The Tire Shop has been restored. Customers can access it through North Ethel Avenue. 

Drinking water has been and continues to be safe.

Detours remain in place. As a reminder, through traffic is requested to use alternative routes, with northbound traffic asked to follow M-203 toward McLain State Park and southbound traffic asked to take Airport Park Road through Dollar Bay. This is especially true for tractor-trailers. Local traffic is open, and White Street in Hancock is currently open to two-way traffic because of the incident.

Beaches along the Portage Lake Shipping Canal remain closed until further notice.

Due to the petroleum release and the heavy equipment operating in the area, residents are requested to avoid the area if possible. 

The next update will likely come when the road is opened.

From PHF at 5:44 p.m., Friday, on behalf of the Houghton County Office of Emergency Measures:

In response to the gasoline spill, there has been absorbent boom material around the outlet of the storm sewer line into the Portage Canal. Petroleum from within that boom area has been and continues to be safely removed for proper disposal.

The gasoline sheen on the water has been monitored from the shoreline, from the air via drone and plane, and from the water via boat since noon on Thursday. Air monitoring has been conducted along the shorelines of the canal. The ongoing monitoring of the sheen – size and location – has shown that the sheen has been naturally dissipating over the last 24 hours, especially east of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.

The recommendation of both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) is to continue to monitor the gasoline sheen as the sunlight continues to aid in its evaporation. That is expected to continue into next week, depending on the weather. Mechanical methods of surface recovery used with heavier oils are not effective with the gasoline sheen. Chemical methods of removing the gasoline are not allowed on the Great Lakes.

The Environmental Protection Agency has been overseeing and conducting air monitoring in the community. All levels in the community are safe. The only areas where gasoline compounds continue to be found are the storm drains and work areas.

The Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (WUPHD), working in conjunction with the EPA, EGLE, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), has updated the public health advisory for the Portage Canal following the recent fuel spill in the City of Hancock. The Portage Canal may reopen for recreational boating, fishing, and body contact swimming as long as the public avoids any areas with visible fuel sheen.

There is no update to the time frame for Highway 41 opening to traffic again.

Due to the heavy equipment operating in the area, residents are requested to avoid the area of the spill if possible. 

PHF announced at 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, on behalf of the Houghton County Office of Emergency Measures, that U.S. 41 reopened. Ethel Avenue remains closed while crews continue to flush the storm sewer.

Water sheen monitoring photos, courtesy of Superior Search and Rescue, via PHF, from Friday, June 25: