Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Chemical spill updates from www.hometownheadlines.com

Breaking news: Chemical spill at Bekaert. details at www.hometownheadlines.com

 

-Chemical spill at Bekaert has neighborhoods closed: Emergency officials are swarming South Rome this afternoon following a chemical spill at Bekaert.

>2:22 p.m.: Darlington has just received the all clear from emergency services. Darlington v. Athens Academy game is a go for tonight.

>2:40 p.m. update from St. Mary's:"We have been given the all clear from the Floyd County Emergency Management Office.  Dismissal will proceed as usual. Baseball practice and running club remain canceled for the day."

>2:15 p.m.: The latest from Joy Peterson, the county's public relations spokeswoman, and other sources:

-An 8,000-gallon container holding hydrochloric acid began to leak. The number of gallons that leaked wasn't known. Earlier reports said several hundred gallons.

-The leak was contained in an emergency containment system used by Bekaert. None of the chemical left the Bekart campus

-Several surrounding businesses were evacuated including Rome Tool & Dye as well as Coosa Valley Technical College.

-Bakaert employees are returning to the plant.

-Most roads are reopened except for the 2300 to 2500 blocks of Maple and parts of Cedar.

-Air quality tests are being conducted in the area as a precaution.

-Listen to the emergency response personnel on the scene> Scanner

-Seven being treated so far at Floyd Medical Center: Two patients have been transported to Floyd by emergency crews. Both are being treated for respiratory issues in the emergency room. Five others have arrived at the hospital, complaining of respiratory problems and more "walk-ins" are possible, says spokeswoman Haley Crider.

-

-Immediate updates here, on Twitter ("hometown") or on our Twitter update on Hometown Mobile. Click Mobile

-Coosa Valley Technical College closed because of chemical spill: A chemical spill at Bekaert has closed Coosa Valley Technical College's Floyd campus for the rest of the day. A decision will be made tonight on Thursday classes.

-Earlier report on Darlington lockdown: This note just went to parents from the school: "Police and other emergency officials have been called to the scene of a reported chemical spill of several hundred gallons at Bekaert off Darlington Drive. A half-mile circumference around Bekaert is being evacuated. A decontamination unit has been dispatched. Roads in the area are closed.

-Darlington School, which is located beyond the half-mile circumference, is currently under a lockdown. Administrators have been in communication with 911, which has advised that we keep people inside the buildings.

- Please know that students taking exams in the Huffman Center, located on Darlington Drive, are safe. The ventilation system in that location has been shut down. Faculty members are aware of the situation and are keeping all students indoors on all campuses.

-We will remain locked down until 911 contacts us to let us know we are clear to release students for the day. If that means we need to keep them inside beyond the regular school day hours, that's what we will do to ensure their safety. We will keep you apprised of further information just as soon as we hear it.

-Darlington also is keeping students and staff indoors as the chemical spill is handled."

-Rebecca Blaylock Child Development Center is in lockdown.

-St. Mary's School is outside the evacuation zone (East 20th Street to Old Lindale Road) but students are being kept inside as a precaution. Also, ventilation has been cut off just in case fumes are in the area.

-Listen to the emergency response personnel on the scene> Scanner

No comments: