APRIL 3, 2021 | SATURDAY

INCIDENT SUMMARY | Multiple Sources

Residents in the area of Piney Point (Manatee County), Florida were under a mandatory evacuation order for those living around the Piney Point Phosphogypsum Stack and waste water overflow facility breach. Officials believed the leaking gypsum stack could pose a safety danger to those in the area, as well as a mere collapse. It was expected to collapse at any moment. (0819 hours PT).

EVACUATION ORDER | Manatee County Public Safety

Originally, the evacuation order was for those who were a half-mile west and one mile southwest to the Moccasin Wallow Road but was extended it for those around the breached reservoir. This is impacting approximately 316 households in the evacuation area.

STATE OF EMERGENCY | Gov. Ron DeSantis

On Saturday, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered a State of Emergency due to the possibility of mixed saltwater from the south reservoir at the Piney Point facility. He will be traveling to the area on Sunday meet with Florida Department of Environmental Administration and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

STATE RESPONSE | Governor, Emergency Management

Emergency Management responded to the area with mobilized pumps, pump trucks, vac trucks and over 100,000 bottles of water. The EOC was activated and is still currently in an operational period of time.

Residents can find the following resources as listed by various governmental pages:

EVACUATION ORDERS | Manatee County Public Safety

Residents call call 3-1-1 with questions about the evacuation zone related. Call 9-1-1 only for life and safety emergencies only.

TRAFFIC CLOSURES | MCG Public Works

Closure of US-41 – from Buckeye Rd to Moccasin Wallow Rd.

Moccasin Wallow Rd – West of 38th Avenue East.

UPDATES | Florida Government

To find out about more updates or how this has occurred over the last several days, go to this website here –> Piney Point Regional Notification | Water Quality Dashboard (protectingfloridatogether.gov)

(c) 2021 NW Fire Blog – Updated 2100 hours PT