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 more than 30 local, state and federal partners to keep residents informed.
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 http://www.readyharris.org/deerparkfire.
Closures
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:
1. Bay Area Park in Houston
2. Clear Lake Park in Seabrook
3. Sylvan Beach in La Porte
4. Juan Seguin in La Porte
5. Rio Villa Nature Trail
6. Meadow Brook
7. River Terrace
8. Moncrief Park
Lynchburg Ferry is still closed to the public.
The Baytown Nature Center will also remain closed until further notice.
Seabreeze Park and Klein Retreat in La Porte will remain closed until further notice.
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.
HCPH operated three-day Mobile Health Clinics in the Deer Park area that had a tremendous community response. At this time, HCPH has not scheduled additional clinics.
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.
- If you are asked to shelter in place, know what to do:
- stay indoors
- close windows and doors
- turn off A/C systems
- Monitor local weather/wind forecasts.
- Check with your school district about closures, go to their website or follow on social media.
- For traffic information go to www.houstontranstar.org
Where you can learn more:
- Air Quality Data: ReadyHarris.org
- Health Information: Harris County Public Health
- Fixed Air Monitoring Sites: TCEQ