Emergency teams are working to secure the 10 barges that broke loose. The barge containing the methanol is partially submerged and is one of three that wedged themselves next to a dam near a power station.
The Louisville Metropolitan Emergency Services (LMES) said shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday a vessel towing 11 barges made contact with a “stationary structure” at the entrance to the Portland Canal, to the west of Louisville, near the McAlpine Dam.
As a point of reference, methanol is not only “highly flammable” and explosive, but is also toxic to humans in small amounts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The effects of methanol poisoning may not become apparent until 72 hours after being ingested, and can include blindness, vomiting, heart failure and death.
“The characteristic pungent (alcohol) odor of methanol does not provide sufficient warning of low levels of exposure,” the CDC said. Methanol can contaminate air, water and food, and is typically used as a solvent or a pesticide.
“There is currently zero evidence of a tank breach or any leaks, and air and water monitoring resources are in place,” Louisville Metro Emergency Services said. It added, “There is currently no impact to Louisville Water’s water intake or water quality.”
The incident occurred when a tug vessel towing 11 barges hit a “stationary structure at the entrance to the Portland Canal near the McAlpine Lock and Dam,” according to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.
Ten barges broke free, and three of them settled next to part of the McAlpine Dam. Images from the scene show one of the barges or its cargo crumpled up against a pillar at what looks to be the dam’s spill gates.
Three barges are jammed against the McAlpine Dam on the Ohio River, just off the shore in Louisville, KY. A barge carrying 1,400 metric tons of methanol is partially submerged.
Source: Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
The barges are near the Ohio Falls hydroelectric station, operated by LG&E and KU Energy.
“We’re cooperating with the authorities as they and the barge companies work to recover the barges,” company spokesperson Daniel Lowry said in a NPR report. “It appears there was no damage to our facility, but we will assess fully for damages once those barge recovery efforts are complete.”
While the Louisville emergency agency is leading the response, the effort includes the U.S. Coast Guard’s Ohio Valley sector and the Kentucky Environment and Energy Cabinet. A private company, CTEH, is also at the scene, monitoring air quality.
The situation is being closely followed by ORSANCO, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, which has already been keeping tabs on potential effects on the waterway from the East Palestine toxic waste disaster that occurred hundreds of miles to the northeast of Louisville.
At the Louisville site, ORSANCO said there are no reports of methanol or other chemicals being released into the Ohio River.