OVER 500 RESIDENTS IN THE TOWN OF AURELIA, IOWA REMAIN EVACUATED BECAUSE OF AN ANHYDROUS AMMONIA LEAK AT A GRAIN ELEVATOR.
AUTHORITIES SAY THE LEAK BEGAN AROUND 10AM AT THE FIRST COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION ELEVATOR.
NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
A MEETING IS UNDERWAY TO DETERMINE WHEN RESIDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.
THE CHEROKEE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE SAYS THE ANHYDROUS TANK HAD BEEN DRAINED OF MOST OF THE CHEMICAL AND HAD UNDER 20% CAPACITY AS OF 3:30PM.
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE MOVED TO THE ALTA-AURELIA HIGH SCHOOL IN ALTA FOR SAFETY.
SIOUX CITY FIRE RESCUE DISPATCHED ITS HAZ-MAT UNIT TO AURELIA TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION.
Updated 4pm 9/24/18
THE TOWN OF AURELIA, IOWA HAS BEEN EVACUATED BECAUSE OF AN ANHYDROUS AMMONIA LEAK AT A GRAIN ELEVATOR.
AUTHORITIES SAY THE LEAK BEGAN AROUND 10AM AT THE FIRST COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION ELEVATOR.
NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE MOVED TO THE ALTA-AURELIA HIGH SCHOOL IN ALTA FOR SAFETY.
THE COFFEE SHOP AND OTHER TOWN BUSINESSES HAVE CLOSED.
RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN WERE ALSO TOLD TO GO TO THE CHEROKEE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR SHELTER WHILE THE LEAK IS CONTAINED.
SIOUX CITY FIRE RESCUE DISPATCHED ITS HAZ-MAT UNIT TO AURELIA TO HELP WITH THE SITUATION.
Updated 2:12pm 9/24/18
