GAMBLE TOWNSHIP -- Thousands of gallons of gasoline from a pipeline was spilled into a creek in Lycoming County during flash flooding overnight.
Officials with Sunoco Logistics said an 8-inch pipeline was shut down after the leak was detected around 3 a.m. Friday.
An estimated 55,000 gallons of gasoline leaked into a tributary of the Loyalsock Creek, as a result of flash floods and landslides due to heavy rainfall, according to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials.
The spill occurred in the vicinity of Wallis Run near the intersection of Wallis Run Road and Butternut Grove Road.
Bruce Lundrigan spent the day trying to get to a woman living in Gamble Township near the site of the gasoline leak.
Somewhere beneath the ground north of Montoursville, an 8-inch pipe carrying gasoline ruptured.
Lundrigan tried to reach a 70-year-old woman stranded by the washed-out road.
"She's stuck out here. The creek's coming up, I smell gas, She could taste the gas. She was kind of nervous and kind of panicked and I said, 'i'll come up and try to get to you,'" said Lundrigan.
Despite Lundrigan's efforts, he could not get to her.
Crews arrived to rebuild the bridge that washed out during the overnight flooding.
Sunoco Logistics and the DEP are testing water in the Loyalsock Creek and the Susquehanna River to see if the levels of gasoline threaten drinking water.
Officials with Pennsylvania American Water are urging communities downstream in Northumberland and Union Counties to limit water use as the extent of the leak is determined.
Customers in these communities are asked to reduce water use until further notice:
- Lewisburg
- Milton
- Northumberland
- Watsontown
- East Chillisquaque Twp.
- West Chillisquaque Twp.
- Delaware Twp.
- Kelly Twp.
- Buffalo Twp.
- East Buffalo Twp.
- Turbot Twp.
- White Deer Twp.
- Point Twp.
- Upper Augusta Twp.
- Gregg Twp.