Update May 8: WKATV: Arkansas Attorney General reports high levels of carcinogens persisting in Mayflower air.

Rep. Markey, MA, sends letter to Exxon CEO asking for clarification of Exxon’s conflicting statements and claims.

Update, May 2: Rupture of same pipeline 200 miles north leaks tar sands in Missouri. 

Update: Independent study documents continuing high levels of toxics in Mayflower air. 4-29-13:  Community leader, April Lane, has been collecting health reports from residents since the pipeline rupture on March 29. Lane relayed that “even four weeks later, residents are still feeling symptoms from the chemical exposure. People have consistently talked about gastrointestinal problems, headaches, respiratory problems, skin irritation including chemical burns, and extreme fatigue.” These symptoms are consistent with exposure to the chemicals found in the independent air testing.  More…

And more at DeSmogBlog.

Update 4-23: Toxic materials from Exxon tar sands flood confirmed in Lake Conway.

Update 4-22: Check out images of the Canadian tar sands that creates this toxic brew and 475 million gallons of toxic waste a day (about nine times the amount of fuel).

Update 4-15: Arkansas Hires Notorious Private Contractor To Clean Up Mayflower Tar Sands Spill, Same Firm Also Contracted For KXL

Update 4-13: Unfiltered pumping of tar sands-contaminated water from the cove into the main body of Lake Conway during the Wednesday thunderstorm seen here. According to the article, Keith Stephens, of Ark. Fish and Game Commission, does not seem to know that tar sands sink. He said that the booms sitting on the lake would prevent movement of tar sands through the lake.  How much more insane can things get?! Where is the mainstream media? Why is it that only citizen journalists are documenting this tragedy and travesty of justice?

Insideclimatenews: Records now show that the pipeline was not shut off for more than an hour after the first 911 report of a spill. It may have taken that long for anyone to figure out that the spill was Exxon’s 65-year-old pipeline, which residents did not know underlay their community.

Update 4-12: Latest estimates are up to 420,000 gallons spilled.

Update 4-11: No respirators being provided for workers directly handling tar sands material. Exxon Pressures Arkansas TV Stations To Ban Critical Ad. Wednesday’s storm washes tar sands from lake into lakeshore residents’ yards.

Update 4-10: Ark. AG:  pipeline gash 22′ long, 2″ wide, much larger than previously thought. Exxon no-fly zone still in place. 

Update 4-9-13: Apparently Exxon is trying to deny both that the spill is tar sands and that they are not paying tax on it into clean-up fund. Both lies debunked.  Estimate of up to 300,000 gallons spilled; more on lack of protective gear, new smells reported by residents: Tarsandsblockade.org update.

And some humor from Heavy Crude Video:

Update 4-8-13: Exxon has power-washed its equipment into storm drains feeding a wetland adjoining Lake Conway and covered it with paper towels (note correction from earlier post):

See interviews with area residents sickened by the spill and more images at tarsandsblockade.org and explanations of connectivity of cove, lake, and Arkansas River. More on the inherent risks of tar sands pipelines at ecowatch.org.

Update 4-5-13: Media threatened with arrest for visiting command center in attempt to speak to federal authorities. EPA estimates 4,000-7,000 barrels or up to 294,000 gallons were spilled.

Update: 4-4-13: Exxon has made the spill area a press blackout zone. Exxon officials are in charge. The spill has reached coves of Lake Conway (aerial footage from Monday here). There is now a no-fly zone over the area so aerial photography can not be updated. Nearby residents  who were not evacuated or yet contacted by Exxon are experiencing vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Media is being kept from these homes in spite of owners’ permission to be on their land, apparently based on orders from Exxon. The federal government seems to be missing from the scene.

Previously updated 4-2-13: A 65-year old ExxonMobil underground pipeline ruptured in a Mayflower, Arkansas subdivision on Friday, forcing continued evacuation of two dozen homes and releasing hundreds of thousands of gallons* of Canadian tar sands bitumen, which is moving toward nearby Lake Conway, a drinking water source for the region. *So far, 12,000 barrels – over 500,000 gallons – of bitumin, toxic chemicals, and contaminated water have been recovered.