Oil Spill | Elwha, Washington | July 2025 - Present What Happened?

On July 18, 2025, a dual-trailer tanker truck owned and operated by PetroCard rolled over on U.S. Highway 101. It entered Indian Creek in Clallam County, Washington, and discharged petroleum products into the creek, the Elwha River, surface waters, sediments, and soils, and onto adjacent lands. 

On May 29, 2026, the Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Northwest District was notified of a mystery bunker oil spill at a historic pier in Astoria, Oregon. Later in the day, the USCG requested phone support on how best to contain and mitigate spill after conditions deteriorated over the afternoon. Spill quantity is unknown but remains confined to the pier. The source origin is suspected to be corroded fuel piping no longer in use. The SSC is providing virtual support.

On the morning of May 26, 2026, the Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for Northwest District was notified by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) of an explosion at a paper mill plant. The "worst case" discharge is 800,000 of White Liquor, a caustic sodium solution used in paper pulp processing. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USCG, and Washington State are all working with the SSC to respond. The EPA and USCG have requested modeling by the Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center (IMAAC) via the NOAA SSC.

On May 22, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) was notified by California Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) that a crude oil pipeline was ruptured during construction activities. An unknown quantity of oil has reached the Los Angeles River. U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach is monitoring the situation, but for now, the discharge remains outside of USCG jurisdiction. The NOAA SSC remains in contact with USCG. No immediate assistance from NOAA has been requested.

On May 19, 2026 the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received notification of a crude oil spill from an out-of-service tank at the TPIC Main Pass 69 Central facility. An estimated 50 barrels of oil spilled into adjacent marsh, shell beach, and water. TPIC is investigating the exact source location. An oil spill removal organization (OSRO) is onsite, conducting the cleanup. The NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) is responding on-site.

On May 19, 2026, the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) for Oceania was notified of a diesel discharge in Ala Wai Harbor in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. Suspected cause was due to an improper fuel transfer. The U.S. Coast Guard requested assistance with resources at risk (RAR) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation.

On May 16, 2026, Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Texas City notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) of a beached fishing (shrimping) vessel at Crystal Beach, Texas. The vessel has 1,000 gallons of diesel and is not currently discharging. Requested a trajectory and weather outlook for the week for preparedness.

On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received notification from the National Response Center regarding a reported 15-barrel release of crude oil from a TPIC pipeline in Main Pass 69. The crude oil impacted rip rap and water. An overflight on the same day reported an offshore slick of dark oil and sheen. USCG requested assistance from NOAA in determining a potential relationship between the slick and the TPIC spill.

On May 11, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach notified the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) that a fire has broken out on the oil platform Habitat in the Santa Barbara Channel. Initial reports are that it is a natural gas fire and all persons on board have been evacuated. Additional information to follow.

On May 8, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) received a report of a 30-mile rainbow mystery sheen in Green Canyon 241, approximately 90 miles south of Louisiana. USCG requested a spill trajectory.

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) on May 8, 2026 to request any imagery that could help resolve an oil release from a vessel in transit from Norfolk, Virginia to Savannah, Georgia between April 23 and April 25, 2026. The M/V ZIM ATLANTIC arrived in Savannah on April 25, 2026 with a crack on the port side leading into one of its fuel tanks. The crack was discovered in port when a minimal sheen was observed. The case has concluded and the vessel has departed Savannah, but the Coast Guard was attempting to pinpoint exactly when the structural damage occurred. OR&R sought input from NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS).