‘ Two explosions’ at flooded chemical plant
> Toll in Texas mounts as Harvey moves east
HOUSTON: Local emergency officials yesterday reported two explosions at a flooded chemical plant in the Texas town of Crosby, its operators Arkema Inc said.
“At approximately 2am CDT (3pm in Malaysia), we were notified by the Harris County Emergency Operations Centre of two explosions and black smoke coming from the Arkema Inc plant in Crosby, Texas,” the company statement said.
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office in a later tweet confirmed “a series of chemical reactions at the Arkema Inc Crosby facility”.
“There has been intermittent smoke, please stay clear of the area.”
As a precautionary measure, officials had already ordered the evacuation of an area within 3km of the organic peroxides plant, which operators had said was at risk of exploding due to a “critical issue” triggered by monster storm Harvey’s torrential rains.
Harris County sheriff’s office said one deputy had been taken to hospital after inhaling fumes from the plant.
“Nine others drove themselves to hospital as precaution,” it said on Twitter.
The facility had been evacuated following a dangerous loss of on-site refrigeration.
In its statement, the company said “unprecedented flooding overwhelmed our primary power and two sources of emergency backup power”.
At least a quarter of Harris County, which includes Houston, is still under water.
Meanwhile, new proof of the devastation wrought by Harvey emerged as the bodies of six family members were plucked from receding waters in Texas.
While clouds parted in Houston, bringing a welcome respite after the storm turned roads into rivers, rural areas of Texas were drenched as Harvey headed eastwards with the city of Port Arthur especially hard hit.
Authorities in neighbouring Louisiana scrambled to safeguard their state from the impact of Harvey, whose onslaught evoked painful memories of Hurricane Katrina’s deadly strike 12 years ago – but New Orleans escaped with minimal rain.
Taking advantage of a lull in the rainfall in Houston, rescuers recovered the bodies of six family members from a van which was swept away over the weekend.
Manuel and Belia Saldivar and four of their greatgrandchildren ranging from six to 16 years in age went missing on Sunday.
So far, officials believe at least 33 have been killed in the storm, and there is little doubt the toll will rise further.
Over 30,000 have found refuge in shelters across the Lone Star State, from the giant Houston convention centre to small churches, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. – AFP