Above is a photo from Vinton County showing an orange haze cloud lifting into the sky from Austin Powder Plant. The photo was taken from the corner of SR677/Infirmary Road. (Photo courtesy of Kennedi Kovaleski)
FINAL UPDATE: Austin Powder confirms that nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions from its Red Diamond Plant in Vinton County have ceased. At 4:34 p.m. the evacuation orders in select areas of Vinton County have been lifted. Residents can return home.
UPDATE AS OF NOON: The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office has ordered evacuations in the area near the Austin Powder Plant in northern Vinton County after a chemical leak of an acidic nature occurred at the plant sometime Wednesday morning, June 11. The plant is located at 32000 Powder Plant Road.
According to Jackson County Emergency Management Director Robert Czechlewski, on behalf of the Vinton County Emergency Management Agency, a large hazmat release of nitric acid occurred at the plant. A tank, which holds 5,000 gallons, developed a leak. It is unclear how much has leaked at this time or what caused the leak. An official source in Vinton County has also identified the involved chemical as being nitric acid.
The plant was evacuated and since then the Sheriff’s Office has ordered evacuations on the following roads: State Route 677 (Powder Plant Road) between U.S. Route 50 and State Route 278, Morgan Road, Infirmary Road, Creek Road, and also the village of Zaleski. Initially, Zaleski residents had a “shelter in place” order but that has been changed to an evacuation order. The Ohio Department of Transportation also is reporting that State Route 328 in both directions from Airport Road to State Route 93 “due to an incident.”
The Sheriff’s Office also advises that buses are being staged at the St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Zaleski to provide residents with transportation out of Zaleski.
Also, the Vinton County High School gymnasium in McArthur has been designated as a new shelter for evacuees. That is a change from the earlier evacuation location of the McArthur Firefighters Association building on High Street in McArthur.
A spokeswoman for the Austin Powder Plant reports that all plant employees have been accounted for and all are safe. Some employees are still inside the plant doing assessments while most others were sent temporarily to the McArthur Firefighters Bingo Hall. The plant spokeswoman also announced that the second-shift and third-shift production have been canceled for the remainder of the day and those employees are not to report to work.
NEW UPDATE: The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office has issued information and an order in the aftermath of a chemical leak this morning at the Austin Powder Plant in northern Vinton County.
The plant has already been evacuated and the Sheriff’s Office is also directing all residents who live on State Route 677, also known as Powder Plant Road, between U.S. Route 50 and State Route 278 to evacuate immediately. The Sheriff’s Office has also ordered those on Morgan Road, Infirmary Road, Creek Road and the Village of Zaleski to evacuate. Initially, Zaleski residents had a “shelter in place” order but that has been changed to an evacuation order.
The Sheriff’s Office also advises that buses are being stated at the St Sylvester Catholic Church in Zaleski to provide residents with transportation out of Zaleski.
Also, the Vinton County High School gymnasium in McArthur has been designated as a new shelter for evacuees.
No other details are available at this time.
Original Post: The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office has issued information and an order in the aftermath of a chemical leak this morning at the Austin Power Plant in northern Vinton County.
The plant has already been evacuated and the Sheriff’s Office is also directing all residents who live on State Route 677, also known as Powder Plant Road, between U.S. Route 50 and State Route 278 to evacuate immediately.
Those who reside or work in the nearby Village of Zaleski are instructed to “shelter in place,” which mean to stay indoors where you are.
Evacuees needing a temporary place to stay may go to the McArthur Firefighters Association building on High Street in McArthur.
No other details are available at this time.
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