August 29, 2008
Shelter-in-place order for much of western Kanawha County
Advertiser

Residents in much of western Kanawha County were under a shelter-in-place order on Thursday night and this morning after the explosion at the Bayer Crop Science plant in Institute.

Those orders remained in force as of 1:30 a.m. today.

Shelter-in-place orders were issued for South Charleston, Dunbar, Nitro, Institute, St. Albans, Cross Lanes and the surrounding areas. A Kanawha County Metro 911 dispatcher said everything from the Charleston city limits west to the Putnam County line was under a shelter-in-place advisory.

According to the American Red Cross, people under a shelter-in-place should do the following:

  • Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
  • If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
  • Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
  • Close the fireplace damper.
  • Get your family disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
  • Go to an interior room without windows that's above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
  • Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
  • It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. Call your emergency contact and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
  • Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
  • Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.
  • Report a violation or offensive comment.
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    Posted By: Confirmed (3:14pm 08-29-2008)
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    I agree with you Time Bomb and this further confirms the fact by Forbes as Charleston, WV is a dying city. You can look from the road and see that the whole plant is old and rusted in many places. I'll bet instead of tape to patch up the holes, they're probably using bubble gum and old towels. And here's the kicker, if the only thing that they are mixing up is fertilizer and asprins; please don't tell me that when you drop this stuff on the ground it explodes? If that's the case, as Paula would say "HEY YAW, we'z in a lot of trouble".

    Posted By: time bomb. (10:36am 08-29-2008)
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    All of these chemical plants ,in kanawha county are old, the companys never install new equipment. they get a leak and they just weld a patch over the hole .and keep on going. I know this for a fact I worked doing this, all they care about is the dollar that they are going to make.these plants are a time bomb getting ready to go off.but the company management, will take a chance and go with all of us for that almighty dollar. osha knows about this but wont do anything, afraid they will close down and lay off a lot of people.

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