With the Atlantic hurricane season officially underway, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is urging chemical facilities to prevent major chemical releases that could result from high winds and other extreme weather events.
Although the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted a below- normal hurricane season this year, the threat posed by severe storms still exists. Adequate preparations by chemical facilities is critical to ensure the safety of workers, emergency responders, and surrounding communities.
“It only takes one bad storm hitting one unprepared facility to lead to a catastrophic chemical incident,” warned CSB Chairperson Steve Owens.
Past Catastrophes
As an independent federal agency, the CSB has investigated major chemical incidents caused by ineffective planning prior to hurricanes and other extreme weather events. The findings from two past incidents, in particular, highlight significant vulnerabilities at facilities during a hurricane:
- In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey severely damaged Arkema’s chemical facility in Crosby, Texas, leading to the decomposition of organic peroxides and a major fire after backup power failed and refrigeration systems flooded. Massive fumes and smoke were released during the incident. All of Arkema’s employees were evacuated from the facility, as were more than 200 residents living nearby who could not return home for a week. Twenty-one people sought medical attention from reported exposures to the fumes and smoke.
- In August 2020, Hurricane Laura severely damaged the Bio-Lab Lake Charles facility in Westlake, La. On the day of the incident, over 1 million pounds of trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), a highly reactive chemical, were on-site at the facility. The Category 4 hurricane’s strong winds damaged buildings at the facility, including tearing off roofs. Rainwater from the storm contacted the TCCA stored inside the buildings, initiating a chemical reaction that—compounded by failed generators and fire suppression systems—initiated a fire and released a large plume of hazardous gases, including toxic chlorine, from the facility. A portion of nearby Interstate 10 was closed for over 28 hours, and local officials issued a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding community. Bio-Lab subsequently spent $250 million rebuilding the facility.
According to the CSB, top priorities for limiting the impact of severe weather include:
- Securing hazardous materials,
- Ensuring backup power for critical safety systems,
- Training personnel on emergency protocols, and
- Coordinating with local emergency management authorities.
The CSB also recommends a severe weather readiness guide from the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS), which is available here.
ALSO READ: 5 Steps for Hurricane Preparedness and Facility Resilience