Olin Plant Chlorine Gas Release: Shelter-in-Place Lifted in Brazoria County

Chlorine Release and Emergency Response

• ⚠️ A chlorine gas release occurred at the Olin Plant in Brazoria County, prompting an emergency response.
• 🚨 The incident triggered a level three alert at the plant and a precautionary shelter-in-place order for the cities of Freeport, Clute, and Lake Jackson.
• ⏱️ The shelter-in-place order, which lasted about an hour, was lifted by 10:40 a.m. after the leak was stopped.
• 👥 All personnel at the facility have been accounted for, and those potentially exposed are being evaluated.

Impact on Local Communities and Schools

• 🏫 Schools in the Brazosport ISD, including Clute Intermediate School, were placed on lockdown as part of the shelter-in-place measures.
• 🚫 Students were not released from campuses during the lockdown, and school activities returned to normal after the order was lifted.
• 🗣️ Residents in the affected areas have been advised that it is now safe to resume normal activities.

Air Quality and Weather Conditions

• 💨 Officials are monitoring air quality, though overall air quality in southeast Texas was reported as moderate (yellow category) and safe to breathe.
• 🌬️ Lighter winds, between 5 to 10 miles per hour, helped prevent significant offsite transport of the gas.
• 🌡️ The weather forecast indicated high temperatures and humidity in the afternoon, with a front expected to bring drier air and lower humidity in the evening.

Company Statement and Investigation

• 💬 Olin Plant issued a statement confirming the site emergency response was engaged and the leak was stopped.
• 🔍 The company is conducting a thorough analysis to identify the cause of the chlorine release.
• ✅ Employees are returning to normal operations at the facility.