The Arkema chemical plant in Texas was flooded with six feet of water due to Tropical Storm Harvey. Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez/Associated PressTwo explosions were reported at a Texas chemical plant early Thursday, hours after the facility’s owner urged residents and others to stay away. Industrial chemicals manufacturer Arkema SA had said that heavy flooding and the loss of power in the wake of Tropical Storm Harvey had hobbled critical refrigeration at the plant, making an explosion likely. The area around the plant was cleared Wednesday after the company warned it had no way to prevent such an emergency. Related Video Tropical Storm Harvey’s impact on Texas has been catastrophic, but the city of Houston is faring worse than some others.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 31, 2017 09:52 UTC