Trucks make their way through flood waters on a main road leading to the Arkema chemical plant that was in crisis during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey on Wednesday. Photo: brendan smialowski/Agence France-Presse/Getty ImagesIndustrial chemical manufacturer Arkema said Wednesday it has “no way to prevent” a potentially large explosion and fire at its facility near Houston, after flooding due to Tropical Storm Harvey. The Arkema plant in Crosby, Texas, some 25 miles northeast of Houston, was evacuated late Tuesday. As soon as the chemicals begin to degrade they start to “self-accelerate” in a type of no-turning-back mode, he added. More Storm CoverageHe said assuming there is an explosion or large fire, the company feels any sustained environmental impact should be “minimal,” noting the possible incident would probably be largely confined to the Arkema site itself.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 30, 2017 20:19 UTC