Ammonia Leak in Weatherford, Oklahoma

An ammonia gas leak in Weatherford, Oklahoma has resulted in the evacuation of hundreds of residents and left at least 36 individuals hospitalized, according to local officials.

The leak occurred from a tanker truck around 10 p.m. and spread into the parking lot of a hotel. Mike Carlin, the city’s emergency manager, noted the situation escalated quickly, necessitating the evacuation of the hotel and nearby homes.

“Thirty-six victims were transported to local hospitals, with eleven of them later moved to facilities in the Oklahoma City area,” he explained.

As emergency crews work to contain the leak, Carlin mentioned, “We’re trying to dissipate the remaining ammonia and get people back to their homes as soon as possible.” As of Thursday morning, around 500 to 600 people were in evacuation centers.

The Weatherford Police Department issued an evacuation order for residents in a designated area and advised them to turn off their heating or air conditioning systems, just to be safe. “Businesses in this area should remain closed, and all campuses of Weatherford Public Schools are closed today,” they stated.

Meanwhile, Southwestern Oklahoma State University also canceled in-person classes due to the ammonia leak, directing students in campus housing to evacuate because of the hazardous conditions.

Anhydrous ammonia, often used as a fertilizer for crops like corn and wheat, can cause burns on contact. Authorities confirmed they are monitoring air quality and while the tanker is no longer leaking, efforts to disperse the gas are slowed down due to minimal wind. Various agencies have come together to assist with the response, including personnel trained in hazardous materials and units from the Oklahoma National Guard.

In a related incident from last week, an explosion at a chemical plant near Yazoo City, Mississippi, also caused an ammonia leak that led to evacuations in that area.