A slip and slide of a less-than-joyous kind has brought Palm Valley Road to a standstill this evening after an industrial spill of cooking oil warranted closure from Corridor Lane to Landrum Lane. According to a social media dispatch from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJSO), the slippery mess necessitated a full-fledged response, with the SJSO managing traffic redirection and St. Johns County Fire Rescue spearheading the clean-up efforts.
The SJSO had to act quickly, Palm Valley Road is a well-trodden thoroughfare, and the oil spill has compromised the safety of all travelers, thus patrols are presently re-routing traffic while St. Johns County Fire Rescue has their hands full mopping up the greasy chaos, the oily sheen a stark reminder of the disruptiveness of the unexpected. The sheriff's office has not detailed the nature of the spill's cause nor has a timeline been provided for when the artery may be expected to reopen to the motley parade of cars, trucks, and buses constituting evening traffic.
Local residents have taken to social media to express their varied reactions, some with a touch of humor about the absurdity an oil spill of this nature and others with frustration over the commuting chaos ensued. As the clean-up continues, authorities are asking drivers to avoid the area if possible and heed warning signs and instructions provided through official channels.
The SJSO has not yet disclosed whether there have been any injuries as a direct consequence of the spill; however, this is a developing story, more information will emerge as the night progresses.
