Disaster Response

PHMSA's mission is to protect people and the environment from the risks inherent in transportation of hazardous materials by all modes of transportation, including pipelines. Preparedness, response, and recovery is a priority that directly supports PHMSA's mission.

RELIEF AND ASSISTANCE

OKLAHOMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE: If you need immediate assistance including locating a shelter or contacting your displaced family members, please visit FEMA.gov.

PHMSA offers natural disaster relief and assistance in the following ways:

1) Issuing Special Permits for hazmat transportation from and within disaster areas.

The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) set out the safest method to transport hazmat in commerce—but they do not cover every possible method of transportation or situation and disasters may present unique challenges. Special permits allow variances from the HMR.

Prepare: Before an event occurs take time to learn what regulations (if any) may impact your transportation requirements. This preparation will significantly shorten the time to acquire relief.

Basic training materials may be found on our PHMSA website HERE. If you have questions about transporting hazardous materials, please go to the electronic 49 CFR and, for more specific questions, call the Hazmat Information Center at 1-800-467-4922. The information center is open for direct calls from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET; however, you may leave a message at any time, or email your question to phmsa.hm-infocenter@dot.gov. Messages are returned within 24 hours.

Response & Relief: During response and relief efforts you may need technical assistance or relief from regulations. For technical assistance during working hours (9am-5pm ET) contact the Hazmat Information Center referenced above. After working hours contact PHMSA through your Emergency Relief Team and the Crisis Management Center.

If you require a Hazmat Special Permit during working hours the guidance can be found HERE for Emergency Special Permits and for regular Special Permits guidance and links to online applications go HERE. To request an emergency Special Permit after working hours contact PHMSA through your Emergency Relief Team and the Crisis Management Center.

2) Reminding pipeline operators to immediately notify the local Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) if there are signs of an emergency at their pipeline facilities.

3) Reminding the public to Call 811 BEFORE You Dig during restoration and rebuilding.

For more general post-Sandy recovery help, please visit Hurricane Sandy Recovery on USA.gov. Please visit DOT.gov/Sandy for information about the action that other USDOT modes have taken.

The following are examples of emergency special permits PHMSA has issued during past disaster response and relief efforts. Note, these are not currently active and may not be used for operations:

• Emergency Special Permit to KMLT for Hurricane Relief
• Emergency Special Permit to EPA for Regional Hurricane Assistance
• Emergency Special Permit to Commercial Motor Vehicles for Hurricane Assistance
• Emergency Special Permit to Wal-Mart for Hurricane Relief
• Emergency Special Permit to Williams Gas Pipeline for Hurricane Relief