Clean up efforts underway after 2,000 gallons of oil stain Baltimore harbor
The residual oil then made its way into the Inner Harbor in Fells Point on Wednesday which lead to several traffic disruptions in Harbor East the following day
Efforts to clean up the massive oil spill in Baltimore are underway after several gallons of the substance spilled into the Baltimore Harbor. According to reports, two diesel tanks from Johns Hopkins Hospital's third-party vendors were overfilled and subsequently caused an overflow.
The residual oil then made its way into the Inner Harbor in Fells Point on Wednesday which lead to several traffic disruptions in Harbor East the following day. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) said that the 2,000 gallons of oil made it into the harbor.
Speaking to CBS on Thursday, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said that there was no evidence to suggest that the oil had impacted the drinking water. According to the city, the water now has a red tinge to it due to the fuel.
The outlet reported that personnel from the Baltimore City Fire Department, Emergency Management, the Department of Public Works, and the MDE were all working to mitigate the spill's environmental impact. Moore issued a statement this morning about the spill.
"I first want to start by thanking those who were first on the scene, including the heroic actions of the Baltimore City Fire Department," he said. "And I also want to thank Mayor Scott and Johns Hopkins and the Maryland Department of Environment for their coordination."
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Mayor Brandon Scott stated that the spill has forced the roads to close in Harbor East around Central Avenue and the surrounding blocks. The road closures are likely to affect rush hour times.
According to the Mayor, additional traffic disruptions are in place in areas of East Baltimore, near Johns Hopkins, Fayette Street, and nearby side streets. The official stated that during peak travel times, traffic officers will help guide traffic.
It was further reported that prior to the spill, the oil was being transported as a fuel to power the backup generators at Johns Hopkins Hospital in East Baltimore. According to the Mayor's office, the hospital reported the spill around 11:03 a.m. Wednesday
