After the Floods - Dangerous Waste and Storm Events

In December 2007, winds gusted over 100 miles per hour at the Washington Coast, and sheets of water fell for two days in the lowlands South of the Puget Sound. Electrical power was out for many days in some places, and many homes and businesses flooded. As storm waters recede, dangerous-waste-disposal questions arise.

In the wake of natural disasters, regular waste-handling procedures are often disrupted. Businesses that created little or no dangerous waste before may find themselves with products that cannot be used and that are too dangerous to simply discard. These businesses may find themselves under new rules, because the rules become more strict as a business creates more waste.

The Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction experts at Ecology are here to answer businesses' questions about safe handling and disposal of dangerous waste in times of crisis.

Look to the links below for more information:

Flood Debris provides information on how to or dispose of ruined materials, especially debris from demolition and building repair.

Waste Accumulation After Disasters—Extensions of allowable waste-accumulation times may be given on a case-by-case basis.

Report environmental contamination tells you where to call in your region to report known or suspected hazards.

Records and Reporting in Emergencies tells how to keep proper records, even under tough conditions.

Regional Resources offers links to other sources of help.

Related Information:

Outdoor Burning Basic information

Hazards of Burn Barrels Do not ever burn garbage.

Office of the Washington State Climatologist December 2007 record-flood-event page

Climate Change extreme weather events

Hazardous Substance Information and Education Office for citizens' information about hazardous substances

Industrial Materials Exchange allows businesses to trade surplus usable materials