EPA says Harvey flooded or may have damaged 13 Superfund sites Federal and state officials have evaluated two of the 13 
 
 On Aug. 31, Highlands Acid Pit, a Superfund site in Highlands, was flooded by the San Jacinto River. It's one of 13 sites that the EPA says was impacted by flooding and may have been damaged by Hurricane Harvey. Click through this slideshow to explore other sites. less On Aug. 31, Highlands Acid Pit, a Superfund site in Highlands, was flooded by the San Jacinto River. It's one of 13 sites that the EPA says was impacted by flooding and may have been damaged by Hurricane ... more Photo: Jason Dearen, Associated Press 
 
 Highands Acid Pit- Harris Count y This superfund site is upstream from the San Jacinto Waste Pits superfund site. They are two of the 13 Superfund sites flooded in Hurricane Harvey. Highands Acid Pit- Harris Count y This superfund site is upstream from the San Jacinto Waste Pits superfund site. They are two of the 13 Superfund sites flooded in Hurricane Harvey. Photo: EPA 
 
 US Oil Recovery -Pasadena. Photo shows a previou oil spill at the U.S. Oil Recovery facility (Courtesy County Attorney’s Office.) The EPA flags it as one of 13 sites impacted by Hurricane Harvey floods. US Oil Recovery -Pasadena. Photo shows a previou oil spill at the U.S. Oil Recovery facility (Courtesy County Attorney’s Office.) The EPA flags it as one of 13 sites impacted by Hurricane Harvey floods. 
 
 Malone Service Co -Texas City - a reclamation storage and disposal facility for industrial and municipal waste is one of 13 the EPA says was flooded and may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey. Malone Service Co -Texas City - a reclamation storage and disposal facility for industrial and municipal waste is one of 13 the EPA says was flooded and may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey. Photo: EPA 
 
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 San Jacinto Waste Pits - Harris County - submerged in the river, the cap that covers these pits filled with dioxin may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey. It's one of 13 Superfund sites flooded and potentially damaged by the storm, the EPA says. less San Jacinto Waste Pits - Harris County - submerged in the river, the cap that covers these pits filled with dioxin may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey. It's one of 13 Superfund sites flooded and ... more 
 
 French Limited-Crosby - Another of the 13 Superfund sites that flooded and may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey, the EPA says. It's an old industrial waste storage and disposal site. French Limited-Crosby - Another of the 13 Superfund sites that flooded and may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey, the EPA says. It's an old industrial waste storage and disposal site. Photo: Google Maps 
 
 Petro-Chemical Systems-Liberty TX is a 500-acre waste disposal site that too was flooded in Hurricane Harvey and/or may have been damaged, the EPA says. Petro-Chemical Systems-Liberty TX is a 500-acre waste disposal site that too was flooded in Hurricane Harvey and/or may have been damaged, the EPA says. Photo: EPA 
 
 Gulfco Marine Maintenance-Freeport, TX One of the Superfund Sites that the EPA says has flooded and may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey. Gulfco Marine Maintenance-Freeport, TX One of the Superfund Sites that the EPA says has flooded and may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey. Photo: Google Maps 
 
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 Patrick Bayou-Deer Park The sediment in Patrick Bayou in Deer Park has been impacted in Hurricane Harvey. The tributary of the Houston Ship channel has been designated as a Superfund site because it contains PCBs, pesticides and other toxics. It's one of the 13 sites flagged by the EPA after Hurricane Harvey. less Patrick Bayou-Deer Park The sediment in Patrick Bayou in Deer Park has been impacted in Hurricane Harvey. The tributary of the Houston Ship channel has been designated as a Superfund site because it contains ... more Photo: Google Maps 
 
 Geneva Industries/Furhmann Energy - Houston (near Hobby airport) - a former petroleum exploration near Hobby airport is one of the 13 Superfund sites that the EPA says could have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey. less Geneva Industries/Furhmann Energy - Houston (near Hobby airport) - a former petroleum exploration near Hobby airport is one of the 13 Superfund sites that the EPA says could have been impacted by Hurricane ... more Photo: Google Maps 
 
 Falcon Refinery- Ingleside, TX One of 13 Superfund ites the EPA says has been affected by flooding and may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey. This Ingleside facility is one of two that has been reviewed - alone with Brine Service Superfund site in Corpus Christi -and the EPA says does not need emergency repairs but will require additional monitoring. 11 others have not been inspected. less Falcon Refinery- Ingleside, TX One of 13 Superfund ites the EPA says has been affected by flooding and may have been damaged in Hurricane Harvey. This Ingleside facility is one of two that has been reviewed - ... more Photo: EPA 
 
 This map shows all 13 Superfund sites flooded and/or damaged in Hurricane Harvey. Two have been inspected so far, the EPA says. 1. Falcon Refinery - Ingleside TX 2. Brine Service- Corpus Christi 3. Bailey Waste Disposal-Bridge City 4. French Ltd - Crosby 5. Geneva Industries/Furhmannn Energy - Houston (Hobby area) 6. Gulfco Marine - Freeport 7. Highland Acid Pit - Highlands 8. Malone Services -Texas City 9. US Oil Recovery - Pasadena 10. Patrick Bayou-Deer Park 11. Petro-Chemical Systems-Liberty 12. Triangle Chemical-Bridge City 13. San Jacinto Waste Pits -Highlands/Channelview less This map shows all 13 Superfund sites flooded and/or damaged in Hurricane Harvey. Two have been inspected so far, the EPA says. 1. Falcon Refinery - Ingleside TX 2. Brine Service- Corpus Christi 3. Bailey ... more 
 
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 Photo: Jason Dearen, Associated Press Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close EPA says Harvey flooded or may have damaged 13 Superfund sites 1 / 15 Back to Gallery 
 
 Thirteen of the 41 Superfund sites in the areas impacted by Hurricane Harvey have been flooded "and/or are experiencing possible damage due to the storm," according to a statement released Saturday by the Environmental Protection Agency. 
 
 So far, federal and state officials have only been able to evaluate two of those flooded Superfund sites — Falcon Refinery, a 104-acre site contaminated with chemicals in Ingleside, Texas; and Brine Service, a waste disposal pit in Corpus Christi — to determine whether emergency clean-up is needed. 
 
 Eleven others await inspection. But EPA promises it has teams on stand-by to conduct inspections as soon as conditions permit. 
 
 One of the sites the EPA has yet to inspect is the San Jacinto Waste Pits Superfund site, located immediately beneath a flooded river on the eastern edge of Harris County. The agency could inspect the site as soon as Monday, via boat. 
 
 The EPA's statement was issued immediately after reports were published by the Houston Chronicle and the Associated Press that citizens are concerned that flooding has dislodged a cap that covers the San Jacinto Waste Pits Superfund site. 
 
 Late Saturday, a spokesman for MMC, one of two companies involved in the cleanup of the San Jacinto Superfund site, said that both the cap and berms around it appear to remain in place, based on a visual inspection conducted by contractors Friday afternoon. Stone material around the berms, however, has washed away. The company said further updates will be posted on www.sanjacintofacts.com. 
 
 BREAKING: Flooding threatens to release toxins into San Jacinto River 
 
 Here's the full text of the EPA's statement: 
 
 WASHINGTON (September 2, 2017) — Despite misleading and inaccurate reporting, the facts are that EPA and TCEQ are working together, along with other local, state, and federal authorities and emergency responders around the clock to address the human health and environmental impacts of Hurricane Harvey and its effects, especially historic and devastating flooding throughout Southeast Texas. With regard to the status of Superfund sites. 
 
 EPA has conducted initial assessments at 41 Superfund sites in the impacted areas using aerial images, as well as direct contact with the parties responsible for on-going cleanup activities. EPA has determined that 28 Superfund sites in the area do not currently show damage or excessive flooding associated with Harvey. EPA determined that 13 sites have been flooded and/or are experiencing possible damage due to the storm. Of these sites, two (Falcon Refinery and the Brine Service) have been inspected and it has been determined that they do not require emergency cleanup; although, additional sampling in the area will continue to be conducted. 
 
 Eleven sites, including: Bailey Waste Disposal, French LTD, Geneva Industries/Fuhrmann Energy, Gulfco Marine, Highland Acid Pit, Malone Services, U.S. Oil Recovery, Patrick Bayou, Petro-Chemical Systems, Triangle Chemical, and San Jacinto Waste Pits have not been accessible by response personnel. Teams are in place to investigate possible damage to these sites as soon flood waters recede, and personnel are able to safely access the sites. 
 
 The San Jacinto Waste Pits site has a temporary armored cap designed to prevent migration of hazardous material; the cap will be inspected as soon as it is safe for teams access the site. Based on forecasted river conditions, this inspection is planned for Monday, by boat. EPA has dive teams to survey the cap underwater when conditions allow. 
 
 EPA, TCEQ and other authorities will continue to provide additional updates as we gather them. 
 
 We encourage the community to continue to follow the expert safety advice of local officials. 
 
 For additional information from TCEQ, please visit: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/response/hurricanes ||||| Dwight Chandler walks through his devastated home in Highlands, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. Chandler, 62, said he worried whether Harvey's floodwaters had also washed in pollution from the old acid... (Associated Press) 
 
 Dwight Chandler walks through his devastated home in Highlands, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. Chandler, 62, said he worried whether Harvey's floodwaters had also washed in pollution from the old acid pits that were designated as a U.S. EPA Superfund site just a couple blocks from his home. The Highlands... (Associated Press) 
 
 HIGHLANDS, Texas (AP) — The Latest on Harvey-related flooding and highly contaminated toxic waste sites near Houston (all times local): 
 
 10:55 p.m. 
 
 The flooding of Superfund sites in and around Houston caused by Harvey has raised concerns about whether floodwaters had also washed in pollution from the sites. 
 
 The Associated Press visited several highly toxic waste sites in and around Houston. All had been inundated with water, in some cases many feet deep. 
 
 On Saturday, hours after the AP published its first report, the EPA said it had reviewed aerial imagery confirming that 13 of the 41 Superfund sites in Texas were flooded by Harvey and were "experiencing possible damage" due to the storm. 
 
 4:55 p.m. 
 
 The Environmental Protection Agency says it has reviewed aerial imagery showing 13 Superfund sites in Texas that have been flooded by Harvey and are "experiencing possible damage" due to the storm. 
 
 EPA's statement comes hours after The Associated Press reported that its journalists had visited seven Superfund sites in the Houston area in recent days. They found the sites to either be underwater or showing signs they were inundated before floodwaters receded. 
 
 The EPA statement confirms the AP's reporting that the federal agency has not yet been able to physically visit the Houston-area sites, saying the sites have "not been accessible by response personnel." 
 
 The AP used a boat to visit one site, and it accessed others with a vehicle or on foot. 
 
 The EPA hasn't immediately responded to questions about why its personnel have been unable to do so. 
 
 ___ 
 
 4:45 p.m. 
 
 Houston's mayor says he would like U.S. Environmental Protection Agency officials to come to the city after The Associated Press reported that a number of polluted waste sites have been affected by flooding from Harvey. 
 
 The AP has found that flooding caused by Harvey has swamped at least seven highly contaminated toxic waste sites near Houston. 
 
 Mayor Sylvester Turner spoke to reporters at a news conference on Saturday after the AP report was published. He says he wants EPA "in town to address the situation." 
 
 Turner says he didn't know about the potential environmental concerns soon enough to discuss them with President Donald Trump during the president's visit. 
 
 ___ 
 
 4:25 p.m. 
 
 Flooding caused by Harvey has swamped at least seven highly contaminated toxic waste sites near Houston. That is raising concerns the pollution there might spread. 
 
 The Associated Press has visited the sites — some still only accessible by boat. 
 
 More than a dozen Superfund sites are in the Houston metro area, which has long been a center of the U.S. petrochemical industry. 
 
 The Environmental Protection Agency says Superfund sites are among the most contaminated places in the country. 
 
 An EPA spokeswoman says agency experts won't begin assessing the damage at the sites until the floodwaters recede. 
 
 Among the Superfund sites completely flooded are the San Jacinto River Waste Pits, the site of a 1960s paper mill. Soil there is contaminated with dioxins — toxic chemicals linked to birth defects and cancer. 
 
 ___ 
 
 12:20 p.m. 
 
 Floodwaters have inundated at least five highly contaminated toxic waste sites near Houston — and that's raising concerns the pollution there might spread. 
 
 The Associated Press has visited the sites — some still only accessible by boat. 
 
 The Houston metro area has long been a center of the U.S. petrochemical industry, and is home to more than a dozen Superfund sites. 
 
 The Environmental Protection Agency says Superfund sites are among the most contaminated places in the country. 
 
 An EPA spokeswoman says agency experts won't begin assessing the damage at the sites until the floodwaters recede. 
 
 Among the Superfund sites completely flooded are the San Jacinto River Waste Pits, the site of a 1960s paper mill. Soil there is contaminated with dioxins — toxic chemicals linked to birth defects and cancer.
– The flooding of Superfund sites in and around Houston caused by Harvey has raised concerns about whether floodwaters had also washed in pollution from the sites, reports the AP, which visited several highly toxic waste sites in and around Houston. All had been inundated with water, in some cases many feet deep. On Saturday, hours after the AP published its first report, the EPA said it had reviewed aerial imagery confirming that 13 of the 41 Superfund sites in Texas were flooded by Harvey and were "experiencing possible damage" due to the storm. The agency has only been able to physically inspect two of those sites, reports the Houston Chronicle. The EPA statement says most of the sites have "not been accessible by response personnel." The AP used a boat to visit one site, and accessed others with a vehicle or on foot. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner says he wants EPA "in town to address the situation." Turner says he didn't know about the potential environmental concerns soon enough to discuss them with President Trump during the president's visit. More than a dozen Superfund sites are in the Houston metro area, which has long been a center of the petrochemical industry. Among the Superfund sites completely flooded are the San Jacinto River Waste Pits, the site of a 1960s paper mill. Soil there is contaminated with dioxins—toxic chemicals linked to birth defects and cancer.