The Arkema chemical plant in Crosby TX is burning and exploding. Authorities are trying to say it’s nothing to be concerned about even as a law enforcement officer went to the emergency room after breathing the fumes.
Arkema had two backup plans. Both failed because of the high flood waters. There will almost certainly be other chemical plants and refineries in trouble.
A huge problem there is the proud lack of zoning. Look at the map. There are residential homes within 1,000 feet of the Arkema plant. That simply would not be allowed in most areas of the country. Houston’s lack of coherent zoning endangers people needlessly.
Still, the operators Arkema warned that there was still a potential for more danger. “A threat of additional explosion remains,” said the statement.
Authorities on Wednesday set up an evacuation zone in a 1.5-mile radius from the plant, though the risks could also could be carried by the winds.
Authorities warned of the danger posed by the plant in Crosby, about 30Â miles northeast of Houston. The French company operating the plant said explosions were possible, and William “Brock” Long, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, called the potential for a chemical plume “incredibly dangerous.”