Talking Rock Town Park Closed After Major Diesel Spill in Pickens County

     TALKING ROCK, Ga. — Talking Rock Town Park has been temporarily closed after a tanker truck overturned near the park, spilling an estimated 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel and prompting a large-scale emergency response in Pickens County. The incident, which occurred on Monday, led to swift action from local authorities and environmental agencies to contain the spill and protect nearby Talking Rock Creek.

     Emergency crews from multiple Pickens County departments arrived quickly at the scene to manage the hazardous situation. Their primary focus was to prevent the diesel from reaching the creek and to limit environmental damage. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division took charge of the cleanup operation, which involved extracting more than 30,000 gallons of contaminated water from the affected area. Officials report that, so far, there have been no signs of fish deaths or distressed plant life in the region, a positive sign given the scale of the spill.

     The roadway near the accident site remains closed and is expected to stay inaccessible for at least two more days as cleanup efforts continue. The cause of the tanker truck’s overturn is still under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol. Authorities say that Talking Rock Park will remain closed until the area is deemed safe for public use.

     In a statement, the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the teamwork of all agencies involved and pledged to keep the community updated as the situation develops. For now, residents and visitors are urged to avoid the area as officials work to restore safety and environmental health