Minn. agency warns: prepare fuel tanks for floods
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is urging residents and businesses to prepare fuel oil, gasoline and petroleum tanks for possible flooding in the next few weeks.
Officials say preparations will reduce damage that spilled petroleum products can have on property and buildings as well as reduce damage to the environment. Since water is heavier than fuel, floodwaters can enter buried tanks and cause the fuel to leak out.
Individuals and businesses with underground fuel storage tanks should make sure they are vented above the height of potential floodwater.
The MPCA says the best way to prepare above-ground fuel storage tanks for a flood is to have them emptied. If that's not possible, the agency recommends tanks should be secured to concrete anchors in the ground so they can't float away.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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