Seventy-one days after UPS Flight 2976 crashed off Grade Lane, killing 15 people, significant progress has been made in the cleanup efforts, though much work remains to be done.On Tuesday, sister station WLKY was granted access to the site.Emergency management officials have been working tirelessly, with hundreds of first responders and crews contributing to the ongoing efforts. Okolona Fire Assistant Chief Jeff Carlson described the site as “progress,” noting the transformation from a lot filled with semi-truck trailers and scrap metal to a gravel lot. But the charred scrap metal remains. “It’s just it’s kind of scary how how somebody’s life can change instantly,” Carlson said. “But then it’s also humbling to know that, you know, we got to live to tomorrow and we got to get push forward and move.”The cleanup has involved the removal of more than 8,500 gallons of solid oil and the treatment of more than 2 million gallons of oily water, much of which was caught at the nearby Melco Basin. Officials do not anticipate any long-term negative environmental impact on the community due to the diligent work of contractors.”We do not think there is any long term environmental impact that is negative on the community as a result of it, thanks to the work that all of the contractors have done,” Carlson said. While businesses will have 24-hour access starting Wednesday, the area remains closed to the public, with a police checkpoint in place as cleanup and repair efforts continue. The collaboration of hundreds of people has been crucial in reaching this point, and while there is still much to be done, the progress achieved so far is commendable.
Seventy-one days after UPS Flight 2976 crashed off Grade Lane, killing 15 people, significant progress has been made in the cleanup efforts, though much work remains to be done.
On Tuesday, sister station WLKY was granted access to the site.
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Emergency management officials have been working tirelessly, with hundreds of first responders and crews contributing to the ongoing efforts.
Okolona Fire Assistant Chief Jeff Carlson described the site as “progress,” noting the transformation from a lot filled with semi-truck trailers and scrap metal to a gravel lot. But the charred scrap metal remains.
“It’s just it’s kind of scary how how somebody’s life can change instantly,” Carlson said. “But then it’s also humbling to know that, you know, we got to live to tomorrow and we got to get push forward and move.”
The cleanup has involved the removal of more than 8,500 gallons of solid oil and the treatment of more than 2 million gallons of oily water, much of which was caught at the nearby Melco Basin. Officials do not anticipate any long-term negative environmental impact on the community due to the diligent work of contractors.
“We do not think there is any long term environmental impact that is negative on the community as a result of it, thanks to the work that all of the contractors have done,” Carlson said.
While businesses will have 24-hour access starting Wednesday, the area remains closed to the public, with a police checkpoint in place as cleanup and repair efforts continue.
The collaboration of hundreds of people has been crucial in reaching this point, and while there is still much to be done, the progress achieved so far is commendable.
