United States. The Harris County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) notified Arkema on Aug. 31 of two explosions and black smoke from the plant in Crosby, Texas. Local officials had previously set up an evacuation zone in a 1.5-mile area of the plant, based on their assessment of the situation, but the measure has already been lifted.
Arkema expected the chemicals to catch fire or explode at its heavily flooded plant in the coming days because the plant has lost the power sent to its chemical cooling systems. The plant has been closed since Friday, September 1 in anticipation of the storm. The Crosby plant produces liquid organic peroxides that are mainly used in the production of plastic resins, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC and polyester-reinforced fiberglass, and acrylic resins. Organic peroxides are extremely flammable and, as agreed with public officials, the best course of action is to let the fire consume itself.
The facility has had extraordinary levels of rainfall, receiving approximately 40 inches on Monday afternoon, August 28. The site has been heavily flooded and has no electric service.
