Two explosions have been reported at a Houston-area chemical plant that lost power amid flooding from Harvey. According to the Houston Chronicle, a statement from the company says the Harris County Emergency Operations Center reported two explosions and black smoke coming from the Arkema Inc. plant early Thursday. In a tweet, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said a deputy was taken to the hospital after inhaling fumes. Nine other deputies drove themselves to the hospital as a precaution, the paper reported. A spokeswoman for the plant in Crosby, Texas, said late Wednesday that the flooded facility had lost power and backup generators amid flooding, leaving it without refrigeration for chemicals that become volatile as the temperature rises.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 31, 2017 10:42 UTC