Local Shelter In Place

Issued by The National Weather Service
Charleston, WV
7:30 am EDT, Mon., Oct. 13, 2008

... LOCAL AREA EMERGENCY...

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE KANAWHA METRO 911.

THERE IS AN ANHYDROUS AMMONIA LEAK IN THE TOWN OF CARBON IN THE CABIN CREEK AREA. A SHELTER IN PLACE IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF CARBON IN CABIN CREEK.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN ANY FORM OF DISTRESS... STAY INSIDE AND CALL 911 FOR ASSISTANCE.

From Wikipedia:

The U. S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a 15-minute exposure limit for gaseous ammonia of 35 ppm by volume in the environmental air and an 8-hour exposure limit of 25 ppm by volume.[35] Exposure to very high concentrations of gaseous ammonia can result in lung damage and death.[35] Although ammonia is regulated in the United States as a non-flammable gas, it still meets the definition of a material that is toxic by inhalation and requires a hazardous safety permit when transported in quantities greater than 13,248 L (3,500 gallons).[36]

Update: THE CLOUD OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA GAS IS HANGING LOW... AND IS ABOUT 100 FEET IN DIAMETER AROUND THE TANK.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS... THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE DANGER... HOWEVER THE SHELTER IN PLACE IS STILL MANDATED.

THE ROAD IS SHUT DOWN TO THE AREA WHERE THE INCIDENT IS OCCURRING. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COMPANY IS ON SITE... AND RESPONDERS ARE EN ROUTE.

Winds are currently calm.

Update: Local News Article

Update:

Issued by The National Weather Service
Charleston, WV
9:57 am EDT, Mon., Oct. 13, 2008

... LOCAL AREA EMERGENCY...

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE KANAWHA METRO 911.

THE SHELTER IN PLACE FOR THE TOWN OF CARBON IN THE CABIN CREEK AREA HAS BEEN LIFTED. WHILE THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE DANGER FROM THE ANHYDROUS AMMONIA LEAK... THE INCIDENT IS STILL ONGOING... AND THE LOCAL AREA EMERGENCY CONTINUES.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE IN ANY FORM OF DISTRESS... STAY INSIDE AND CONTACT 911 FOR ASSISTANCE.

Update:

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
LOCAL AREA EMERGENCY
KANAWHA METRO 911
RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CHARLESTON WV
1109 AM EDT MON OCT 13 2008

...LOCAL AREA EMERGENCY...

THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE
KANAWHA METRO 911.

THE ANHYDROUS AMMONIA LEAK IN THE TOWN OF CARBON IN THE CABIN
CREEK AREA IS UNDER CONTROL...AND IS NOW IN THE CLEAN UP PHASE.
OFFICIALS HAVE REQUESTED THE TERMINATION OF THIS LOCAL AREA
EMERGENCY.