Cleanup underway for Mississippi River oil spill - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

Cleanup underway for Miss. River oil spill

Posted: Updated:
MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - A major clean up effort is underway after a railroad bridge was hit by an oil barge. Oil is leaking into the Mississippi River as a result of the collision.

Traffic on the river stopped in the area of the spill. It is closed eight miles in each direction. The mystery now is how much oil has leaked.

At this time, the U.S. Coast Guard is working to prevent the spill from spreading.

"Right now, we are working primarily on that crude oil tank that had the leak, attempting to remove the crude oil from that particular tank," said Commander Mike Block, U.S. Coast Guard.

The barge was holding 80,000 gallons of oil. An oil sheen has been reported three miles down the river from the accident. Booms have been set out to absorb what has leaked.

Commander Block explained what is next for the coast guard.

"Moving the barges and or removing all the product off those damaged barges."

The coast guard reports it is too early to know the environmental concerns following the spill

Copyright 2013 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:17:20 GMT
    (WMC-TV) - Thunderstorms could hit Shelby County by 2:30 p.m. The storms are currently in Tate and DeSoto Counties, moving toward Shelby County. Additional thunderstorms are expected to move east, hitting
    Thunderstorms could hit Shelby County by 2:30 p.m. The storms are currently in Tate and DeSoto Counties, moving toward Shelby County.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:47 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:47:55 GMT
    (WMCT-TV) - The man accused of killing a police officer will avoid a fourth trial after striking a plea deal. He will walk free. Action News 5's Nick Kenney reports from the courtroom that Timothy McKinney
    The man accused of killing a police officer will avoid a fourth trial after striking a plea deal. He will walk free.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:29 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:29:03 GMT
    (WMC-TV) - A snapshot into the lives of a Germantown family comes with a warning. "Every day is just a struggle, especially with the fatigue," said Wilson Nanney. "I mean, it takes a lot of energy to
    A snapshot into the lives of a Germantown family comes with a warning.