BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana, impacted by flooding; neighbors report "odors"
In a statement, the refinery said response and operations crews are on-site to "manage impacts" from the storms and the flooding. They said workers are burning materials in the flares to keep operations safe, and also said they are aware of reports of "odors" from the neighboring community and are also working to address that.
Officials have closed 121st Street in Whiting between Shrage Avenue and Front Street due to what the refinery called "a sheen," though they did not specify exactly what would have caused that sheen. They said they have crews working on that "situation."
"Whiting Refinery has detailed weather protection plans in place to handle these types of conditions and have been executing those plans from last night through this morning. Our top priority is the safety of our employees, contractors, and the community and the environment," the statement read.
Heavy rain overnight has caused flooding across Northwest Indiana, causing schools to start late Tuesday, basements to flood and roads to close. Officials said Hammond and other surrounding communities saw more than six inches of rainfall in 24 hours.
Please note: The above video is from an earlier, related report.
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