Update 4:31 p.m.:
Xpress has new information that the substance reported by the French Broad Riverkeeper was not the substance that leaked from the overturned truck.
While there is still question about what it actually was, water samples taken by representatives from both the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and the French Broad Riverkeepers were taken from upstream and downstream of the spill. Both sets of samples showed that the water quality was within a normal range. The water appearance has also returned to normal.
Via the French Broad Riverkeeper Facebook page, posted Nov. 16:
Chemical spill on the Little Laurel River in Madison County today about 1:15 p.m. has turned the river white for miles downstream. A tractor trailer overturned into the river carrying a chemical called megasol, a type of glass cleaner. The driver was taken to the hospital, but the truck is still in the river leaking. The spill is already into the Laurel River Gorge and will reach the French Broad tonight. Avoid the Laurel and French Broad below River below Stackhouse until further notice.
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