Cleanup underway after tree fell on oil pipeline valve, causing 150-gallon oil spill: Officials

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Cleanup is underway after a storm-toppled tree caused an oil spill in Crosby on Saturday night, officials said.

According to authorities, the leak occurred near the 16700 block of Golf Club Drive after a tree fell during severe storms and struck a pipeline valve, causing it to malfunction.

At about 9:15 p.m., the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to reports of a possible gas leak, and residents in the immediate vicinity were told to shelter in place.

At around 10:30 p.m., the Fire Marshal’s Office said its hazmat team had made entry and isolated the leak. Officials confirmed the substance was crude oil, not gas, and lifted the shelter-in-place order. Air monitoring continued as crews worked to secure the area.

In a statement, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said a tree branch fell on an Energy Transfer pipeline valve during the evening’s storms, causing approximately 150 gallons of crude oil to spill before the valve was shut off.

County officials said the oil did not reach nearby homes or bodies of water and only extended about 10 feet from the plant’s fence line. First responders placed containment booms around the site to prevent further spread.

The area was briefly placed under a shelter-in-place order, but hazmat teams later determined the air was safe, and the order was lifted, according to officials. First responders said no injuries were reported, and no residents sought medical attention.

The Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed the leak did not occur at a water treatment plant and had no impact on plant operations or systems.

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