Mississippi Plant Explosion Triggers Ammonia Leak and Evacuation

An incident involving a blast at a Mississippi facility that produces hydrogen and nitrogen products resulted in an ammonia leak, prompting local residents to evacuate, according to authorities.

State Governor Tate Reeves mentioned that emergency crews statewide were addressing the release of anhydrous ammonia at the CF Industries site located north of Yazoo City.

Thankfully, no fatalities or injuries have been documented. The governor emphasized the need for those in the vicinity to evacuate at once, while recommending that individuals in nearby areas remain sheltered.

Governor Reeves expressed gratitude to the state's first responders and emergency personnel for acting quickly to manage the situation.

To assist impacted residents, the American Red Cross established a reception center in Yazoo City.

Images and videos circulating online display a substantial plume of yellow smoke towering over the site, which houses an ammonia production plant and several nitric acid production units.

The facility is capable of storing approximately 48,000 tons of ammonia, though the specific volume present during the explosion is not yet known.

In a statement, CF Industries confirmed that there were no casualties and all employees and contractors present during the incident have been safely accounted for.

A resident named Andre Robinson, residing about half a mile from the plant, recounted hearing a sound reminiscent of a sonic boom or a large crash. This preceded vibrations shaking his house.

Upon inspecting outside, Robinson noticed smoke emerging from the facility and detected a potent ammonia odor.

Robinson remarked, "We're accustomed to the ammonia scent, but it was never this overwhelming," and mentioned his family evacuated to Jackson.

Due to the incident, a section of U.S. Route 49E was temporarily shut down by the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality announced ongoing air monitoring operations to maintain public safety.

The Yazoo County School District communicated that schools would be open on Thursday, although buses would not service areas under evacuation orders.

Anhydrous ammonia, often utilized as a nitrogen fertilizer for crops like corn and wheat, poses a burn risk if it comes into contact with individuals in its gaseous or liquid state.

Nestled roughly 50 miles north of Jackson, Yazoo City is a modest-sized community.