Update: Hammond incident - Evacuation Order Lifted

Hammond incident final update -
Evacuation Order Lifted as of 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2008

INFORMATION LINE: 951-940-6985

Location: Hammond x Grant, Mecca, CA

Unified Command: CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Sheriff, Union Pacific Rail Road, Kinder-Morgan

Incident Type: Train Derailment/Hazardous Materials Spill Cause: Under Investigation

Injuries: 2 (minor)

Current Situation: Evacuation Order Lifted for Displaced Mecca Residents

The Evacuation Order for the Mecca Community south of Hwy. 111, due to the Train Derailment, will be lifted at 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2008. Residents and agricultural workers will be allowed to re-enter the area. It is important that everyone knows that access into area will only be permitted from Avenue 66 to south Hayes Street, west on Hammond Road, then south on Grant Street and across Hwy. 111. Hwy. 111 will remain closed from Avenue 68 through Cleveland Road until further notice. No traffic will be permitted on Hwy. 111 in the closure area.

In addition, the following county roads will remain closed while clean up and recovery are completed:

1. Hammond Road between Avenue 68 and Grant Street

2. Avenue 68 between Hammond Road and Hayes Street

3. Grant Street between Avenue 68 and Hammond Road

Emergency crews have made significant progress containing and controlling the hazardous materials spill due to the derailment. The threat to the south Mecca area has been mitigated. Work will continue at the derailment site to remove contaminated soil. Air monitoring devices will be utilized throughout the area to monitor the air for contaminates.

Fire officials and emergency workers want to thank the residents for their patience and cooperation while being displaced. This very complex incident presented many public safety challenges.

For information on the health effects for pets, people, and other health concerns regarding this incident, please visit the Riverside County Public Health website atwww.rivcophepr.org or www.rvcoems.org.

For additional information on the Train Derailment and Hazardous Materials Emergency Incident contact the Riverside County Fire Department Information Line at 951-940-6985.