Gas tanks pop out of the ground

Staff Report
Saturated ground appears to be a possible cause of underground gas tanks breaking through the surface at the corner of Universe Road and U.S. 90 in Bayou Vista.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 9:38 a.m. Sunday stating two fuel tanks came out of the ground, said St. Mary Sheriff’s spokesperson Det. Lt. Traci Landry.
“It was called in as a chemical spill, which was not the case,” Landry said.
Both Landry and Bayou Vista Fire Chief Victor Pisani speculate excessive ground water as the reason gas tanks surfaced.
“It could have been, and this is just speculation,” Landry said. “We’re not experts on this thing. Possibly from the water levels, the amount of water that’s on the ground.”
“From what we can identify, it was water underneath the ground,” Pisani said. “And the tanks floated through the ground.”
Pisani stated the tanks were empty, and no leaks were found.
The tanks pose no threat or hazard to the public at this time, Landry said. The investigation was turned over to the State Police Hazmat Office.
The property belongs to an oil company, Pisani said. Removal of the tanks is already in process.