UPDATE Martinsburg HazMat Evacuation Order Lifted

12/24/2019

West Virginia State Emergency Operations Center 8 a.m. update:
Martinsburg evacuation, HazMat response nearing conclusion

CHARLESTON, WV – The West Virginia State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) expected to return to normal operations Tuesday after the lifting of the evacuation in the area around the City of Martinsburg’s Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Responders finished neutralizing the hazardous materials involved in Monday’s incident and successfully completed air monitoring by 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Berkeley County Emergency Management Deputy Director Randy Lilly reports that transportation is being provided to return evacuees from the shelter to their homes.

Martinsburg fire and police are on hand throughout the affected area to help returning residents with home ventilation and address any questions or concerns. All operations are expected to be completed Tuesday.

“We extend our thanks to the responders in Berkeley County and those who responded to the SEOC here in Charleston,” said DHSEM Director Mike Todorovich. “We’re so glad people can return home safely to enjoy the holiday.”

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 3 office reports that small-scale neutralization began around 7 p.m. Monday. The full-scale neutralization was completed at around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. Perimeter air monitoring started 5:30 p.m. Monday and continued throughout the neutralization process.

Berkeley County’s emergency operations center remained activated Tuesday. Liaison officers from DHSEM are assisting with final operations and providing regular updates to the SEOC.

The SEOC will continue to monitor and provide support to local agencies in Berkeley County until the incident is fully resolved.

Gov. Jim Justice ordered the partial activation of the SEOC after Berkeley County declared a local state of emergency Monday in response to the incident.

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For more information, contact the West Virginia Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Public Information Officer Lora Lipscomb at: (304) 558-5380 or email: lora.d.lipscomb@wv.gov.

Contact Information

Lora Lipscomb, WVDHSEM Public Information Officer