Photos: Oil Spill Reaches Lake Mahopac

More than 200 gallons of oil flowed down a hill, spilled into Lake Mahopac and had to be cleaned up by first responders.

An oil spill reached Lake Mahopac and had to be cleaned up.
Photo Credit: *Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department*

Zak Failla

02/20/2020 10:30 a.m.

The oil spill was reported on Mount Hope Road in Mahopac at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19, prompting a heavy response by multiple emergency agencies.

Crews from Mahopac, Mahopac Falls and Somers fire departments; Carmel Police; the Putnam County HazMat Team; the Department of Environmental Protection and its HazMat team; the Department of Environmental Conservation; and Carmel Building Department all responded.

According to Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department Public Information Officer Jack Casey, the spill came from a leaking home heating oil tank. Between 200 and 250 gallons of oil were pumped out by means of a sump pump to the area outside the house and flowed downhill into Lake Mahopac.

First responders were able to contain the spill with booms in the lake and absorbent pads along the road and neighboring properties.

During the cleanup efforts, Mount Hope Road was temporarily closed.

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