A fuel spill in Belhaven floodwaters has been contained.

Beaufort County Emergency Management Director John Pack said the spill was reported Tuesday morning when a slick of fuel was noticed at Pantego and Tooley Street. According to officials, two 55-gallon drums holding diesel fuel at Belhaven Shipyard and Marina, owned Axon Smith Jr., overturned in floodwaters that were

much higher than anticipated. At the time of its report, the fuel slick was floating atop three feet of water and on the move through the flooded streets.

Pack said North Carolina Emergency Management was notified, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard spill team and the slick was contained, using absorbent pads that pick up fuel off the surface of the water. The spill was contained to the area in which it was found and light enough that any remaining fuel floating on the water will evaporate, he said.

The fuel spill, however, brought up another environmental safety issue for Pack. He warned county residents to be very careful when picking up debris left on property by receding floodwaters.

“People need to be reminded — we haven’t had something like this in awhile,” Pack said. “But everything that everyone has thrown into a ditch is now floating.”

Those doing cleanup should wear gloves when handling any debris and make sure it is bagged and disposed of at county landfill areas. As with any flood, planks from piers, bulkheads and docks throughout the region make up a good portion of the debris — they often have exposed nails or wood screws, which can transmit bacteria if they break skin.

“It doesn’t take much to put a hole in a sneaker,” Pack said.

He said those who come in contact with oils and fuels should use warm dishwashing liquid and water to remove from skin. Pack also warned property owners with wells to be very careful when administering bleach to rid the system of bacteria.

“If you have a well-head and if it was underwater, then please call the Health Department and they will help you figure out how much Clorox to pour down the well,” Pack said, adding that too much bleach will can cause gastrointestinal illness, in addition to being hard on the mechanism of the system.

For more information about where to dispose of flood debris, visit www.co.beaufort.nc.us/departments/public-works/solid-waste. For flood cleanup tips and advice, visit www.floodsafety.com/national/property/cleanup/ or http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/cleanupwater.asp.