Crews clean up and monitor oil spill in Clear Lake

In Clear Lake, Texas, efforts to clean up an oil spill near Sylvan Rodriguez Park were ongoing on Thursday as residents voiced concerns and questions about the incident.

ExxonMobil reported that the spill had been contained, but nearby residents have been raising complaints about a persistent strong chemical odor in the area for several days.

Although the park remains open, clean-up crews were deployed across multiple locations to address the spill.

According to ExxonMobil, the spill occurred due to a power outage, causing crude oil to overflow from a containment tank and overflow pit. The company stated that the tank ruptured near the park and estimated that the clean-up would be completed within the next week.

While ExxonMobil assured the community of its safety, specific details about the amount of oil released and its exact location were not provided.

In a statement released Thursday evening, ExxonMobil emphasized their commitment to completing the clean-up promptly and reiterated their focus on ensuring the safety of the surrounding community and environment.

Residents like Celia Stevenson, who resides nearby, expressed concerns about preventing similar incidents in the future and protecting wildlife affected by the spill.

The City of Houston’s Natural Resources Management Division stated that they would continue to assess the spill’s impact on Sylvan Rodriguez Park.

Additionally, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department confirmed their awareness of the spill and their cooperation with ExxonMobil to facilitate access to the park during the clean-up process. They also affirmed their commitment to assessing the spill’s impact on the park and its surroundings.