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Eugene -Springfield Area Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan <br />2. Hazard Descriptions <br />occur when tanks are swamped, or equipment needed to contain a chemical is <br />compromised or destroyed by flood water. <br />In addition to potentially causing a release of hazardous materials, floods can spread <br />the spill further than in non -flooding situations. Floods can also severely hamper <br />response to an incident and any necessary evacuations. <br />History of Impact in Eugene -Springfield <br />There have been no reports of significant flood -induced hazardous material spills or <br />releases in the Eugene -Springfield area. Some notable flood -induced HazMat <br />incidents from around the world include: <br />• 1976 floods in Southern Idaho where at least 2000 pounds of granular Di- <br />Syston® and 200 gallons of liquid Furadan® in addition to unknown <br />quantities of DDT, PCBs, Guthion®, Dinitro®, 2,4-D, Thimet®, Syston®, <br />and malathion were released from three commercial facilities and <br />storehouses on farms; <br />• 1993 Midwest floods in the U.S. where 22 Superfund sites possibly <br />containing toxins such as benzene, toluene, lead, and chromium, as well as <br />household paints, solvents, and insecticides, were released in varying <br />quantities; <br />• 1993 and 1995 floods on the River Meuse which runs through the <br />Netherlands, France, and Belgium where cadmium, zinc, lead, copper, <br />pesticides and PAHs were released; and <br />• 2017 floods caused by Hurricane Harvey; though exact chemicals and <br />release totals are unknown, at this point, the refrigeration system of one <br />plant was disabled resulting in an evacuation before one of the peroxide <br />tanks spontaneously combusted.55 <br />Overall, many flood -induced hazardous material spills are considered small in <br />scale. The risk of flooding to facilities housing hazardous materials is well known, <br />and thus generally well mitigated. <br />Risk of Impact <br />Considering the frequency of flood induced hazardous material spills or releases, <br />along with the number of floods and hazardous material facilities in the area, the <br />risk of a HazMat release occurring in the Eugene -Springfield area, due to a flood, is <br />moderate. <br />55 United States "Arkema Inc. Chemical Plant Fire." U.S. Chemical Safety Board. Accessed <br />November 2017. http://www.esb.gov/arkema-inc-chemical-plant-fire-/ <br />2-35 January 2020 <br />