Evacuation Orders in Vinton County Lifted
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(UPDATED 4:34pm) – The evacuation orders in Vinton County have been lifted. Residents can return home.
Austin Powder confirms that nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions from its Red Diamond Plant have ceased. The company is taking every measure to ensure the solution is both sufficient and permanent so that the evacuation order can be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.
Immediately after discovering the NOₓ release, Austin Powder activated its emergency response protocols and notified the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Preliminary investigation indicates the NOₓ was vented due to decomposition of nitric acid contained in a 5,000-gallon on-site storage tank. The nitric acid remained fully contained—there were no spills or leaks.
Air quality modeling shows that preliminary NOₓ concentration levels at the plant’s fence line were below health-hazard thresholds. There have been no recorded injuries, and no adverse health impacts have been identified to date.
Austin Powder is closely coordinating with local authorities and first responders and has launched an internal investigation into the incident. The company is also committed to supporting external agencies in their ongoing assessments.
The health and safety of our employees and the surrounding community remain our top priority. All precautions are being taken to mitigate any future risks, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
(Vinton County) – A chemical leak at the Austin Powder Company Wednesday morning led to the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office ordering evacuations for the Village of Zaleski and the area near the Austin Powder Plant in northern Vinton County.
According to Jackson County Emergency Management Director Robert Czechlewski, on behalf of the Vinton County Emergency Management Agency, stated that a tank containing 50,000 gallons of nitric acid developed a leak. It is unclear how much has leaked at this time or what caused the leak.
The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Litter Media at 10:55am Wednesday that the plant was evacuated along with the Village of Zaleski and the following roads: State Route 677 (Powder Plant Road) between U.S. Route 50 and State Route 278, Morgan Road, Infirmary Road, and Creek Road. The Ohio Department of Transportation also reported that State Route 328 from Airport Road to State Route 93 were being impacted by the closings.
Vinton County High School gymnasium has been designated as a new shelter for evacuees. That is a change from the earlier evacuation location of the McArthur Firefighters Association building on High Street in McArthur.
Austin Powder has reported that all plant employees have been accounted for and all are safe. The second-shift and third-shift production at Austin Powder have been canceled for the remainder of the day and those employees are not to report to work.
