The tiny town of Mayflower, Ark. is still suffering in the aftermath of last week’s ruptured ExxonMobil oil pipeline, and it’s no surprise the repercussions will last for months or years to come.  At least 147,000 gallons of Canadian crude oil spilled into the town’s streets on Good Friday as many residents were attending church services, and 22 homes were later evacuated. Since then, many residents have described the smell as “acrid” or “like burning tires.”

The capacity of the 20-inch underground pipeline buried under the town of 2,200 residents – just 25 miles north of Little Rock – was increased by 50 percent in 2009. ExxonMobil representatives claim the company is taking responsibility for cleanup—640 people cleaned up about 19,000 barrels as of April 5—and it will also continue to pay for lodging and food for displaced residents until they can return home. But is that possibly enough to compensate for what is being called the worst manmade disaster in Arkansas’ history?

At least two Arkansas residents say no. Kathryn Chunn and Kimla Greene filed a class action lawsuit against ExxonMobil April 5 in US District Court. The two demand $5 million in damages for themselves as well as any other residents impacted by the oil spill. According to the suit, Exxon not only increased the capacity of the 65-year-old line four years ago, but if failed to maintain or inspect it for safety.

Of course Exxon has tried to downplay the impact of the spill. Even though it has promised to honor any valid claims, it has stated the spill has not tainted the area’s water supply or air quality. Oh sure… maybe not yet, Exxon. And what about the wildlife? You gonna tell us there’s not a single dead bird? And new photos taken by the EPA now show the true extent of the damage to Mayflower.

Oil covered streets and driveways are strewn with garbage from the cleanup effort. Yards that once welcomed the arrival of spring with budding grasses and flowers are now tar-filled mud pits. A pathway of oil runs amidst the quaint homes of the Northwoods subdivision. A dam even had to be erected to stop the oil from running onto a nearby highway. And contrary to Exxon’s statements, oil has spilled into a nearby creek that runs into Lake Conway. Exxon may have dispatched 18 vacuum trucks, but their suction hasn’t stopped the imminent damage to the town.

Meanwhile, Arkansas attorney general Dustin McDaniel has launched an investigation into the cause of the oil spill. Anything uncovered in the investigation can be used in the class action suit. Hopefully the Mayflower residents will be able to take Exxon to the cleaners.

[Images via EPA]