Ohio Emergency Evacuation Triggered by Chemical Spill from Open Valve on Train Car

Residents in Cleves and Whitewater Township, Ohio, were instructed to evacuate promptly following a chemical spill deemed “dangerous” by local authorities on the 24th of September.

According to an official from the Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the leak did not result from a train derailment but was instead caused by an open valve on a train car.

The chemical leaking from the valve was Styrene, a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet smell that is highly volatile, as described by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Shortly after being alerted on Facebook, residents were ordered to evacuate immediately from the area near US-50 and State Route 128, heading in any direction away from the danger.

The evacuation zone covered a half-mile radius from the train yard at US-50, State Route 128, and Valley Junction Road, with officials urging people to leave without delay.

A shelter was set up for evacuees at the Whitewater Township Community Center, local authorities confirmed.

Drone footage obtained by a Cincinnati ABC affiliate showed firefighters spraying water on the affected train car while multiple response teams worked at the scene.

On the 26th of September, the evacuation lifted and roads reopened.

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