[ May 22, 2025 ] UPDATE May 28, 2025: Good news! Talking Rock Park is officially OPEN! After swift environmental recovery efforts, the spill site is now in the monitoring phase. Georgia EPD will oversee the area for several weeks, while Marion Environmental continues managing absorbent booms.

Recap: On May 19, a tanker truck spilled 2,500 gallons of diesel, prompting a rapid multi-agency response. Over 94,000 gallons of contaminated water were recovered, with no impact observed on aquatic life or vegetation.

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UPDATE May 24, 2025: Talking Rock Hwy just south of the Town of Talking Rock is now reopening.
Crews have cleared the roadway, but some equipment remains on the shoulders—please drive with caution.

A potential temporary re-closure may occur on Tuesday, May 27, depending on ongoing cleanup needs. We’ll provide an update before any changes are made.

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Cleanup crews are continuing round-the-clock operations following a diesel tanker truck accident that occurred Monday morning on Talking Rock Highway. The incident, which saw an estimated 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel spill, has prompted an extensive emergency response and environmental remediation effort.

The affected area has expanded to encompass a six-mile stretch along Talking Rock Creek, extending from the initial incident site to just west of Swan Bridge Road. To date, a significant 52,000 gallons of petroleum-contact water (PCW) have been successfully removed from the area.

Local authorities, including Pickens County Fire Rescue, Pickens Sheriff's Office, Pickens County Public Works, and Pickens County Emergency Management, were among the first responders, immediately working to contain the spill and prevent further contamination of Talking Rock Creek and adjacent marshlands. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) was promptly notified and has since assumed lead agency responsibility for the remediation process. An environmental cleanup team arrived within two hours of the accident and has been working continuously.

While sheen from the diesel fuel has been detected in Talking Rock Creek from Downtown Talking Rock to Swan Bridge Road, authorities report no observable impact on aquatic life or signs of stressed vegetation. Water samples have been collected both upstream (as a control) and downstream of the incident site for analysis.

An Incident Management organization has taken command of the situation, with Unified Incident Commanders Conti (Georgia EPD) and Westbrook (Pickens EMA) overseeing operations. The cleanup efforts are reportedly progressing well, with no major unexpected issues. However, public intrusion into work areas near Talking Rock Park has necessitated extended closures for safety.

As a result, Talking Rock Road remains closed between State Route 136 and Old Talking Rock Highway. In coordination with the Town of Talking Rock, Talking Rock Park will also remain closed until further notice. These closures are critical to ensure the safety of both operations personnel and the public.

For those needing to access the Town of Talking Rock, use Highway 515, turn onto Antioch Church Road, and then proceed to Highway 136 West.

The Georgia State Patrol is actively investigating the cause of the tanker crash. Further updates on the cleanup and road reopening are expected as more information becomes available.