logo
Texas Chlorine Gas Leak Triggers 'Remain Indoors' Alert

Texas Chlorine Gas Leak Triggers 'Remain Indoors' Alert

Newsweek20-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Residents in Lake Jackson, Texas, were warned to remain indoors with windows closed and air conditioning off following a chlorine leak from a nearby Dow Chemical facility on Tuesday morning.
Lake Jackson Police Department issued the alert after it was advised of "an active level 3 chlorine release from Dow Chemical, level 3 meaning the gas is outside the confines of the facility," per a Facebook post.
"It is advised to remain indoors with doors and windows closed and air conditioners off," police said.
Sirens began sounding at around 9 a.m. following the release of chlorine gas at Dow Chemical's Olin unit in Plant B, Click2Houston reported.
Brazosport County Community Awareness & Emergency Response (CAER) said a "shelter in place is in effect for areas of Clute and Lake Jackson, as a precaution."
"The leak has been stopped. At this time, no other communities need to shelter in place. The safety of our employees, the community, and our environment is always our top priority," the CAER said in a Facebook post.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Map Shows Where Smoke Could Obscure Sky This Summer
Map Shows Where Smoke Could Obscure Sky This Summer

Newsweek

time5 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Map Shows Where Smoke Could Obscure Sky This Summer

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of Americans across the northern U.S. were expected to experience frequent episodes of hazy, milky skies throughout the summer of 2025 as smoke plumes drift south from Canadian wildfires, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. Why It Matters Areas under the thickest smoke risk periods of reduced air quality, AccuWeather said. According to research published by the National Library of Medicine, consistent evidence links wildfire smoke exposure to acute respiratory issues, including infections and flare-ups of existing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. What To Know Areas from Washington, Idaho, and Montana, extending eastward into North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, were identified as likely to face high frequencies of wildfire smoke. The area experiencing a moderate frequency of wildfire smoke encompassed the northern U.S. border and reached into the Great Lakes region, including Chicago. AccuWeather's forecast map showed that even states as far south as Texas and New Mexico would experience occasional wildfire smoke impacts from June through August. A forecast map from AccuWeather shows which states are likely to see wildfire smoke impacts this summer. A forecast map from AccuWeather shows which states are likely to see wildfire smoke impacts this summer. AccuWeather In the east, states including Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia, New Jersey, and New York could also see occasional impacts. AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham explained that on sunny days—particularly during stretches of calm, clear weather—sunlight can break down smoke and haze in the atmosphere, causing it to sink towards the surface and increasing the likelihood of ozone action days or air quality alerts. This forecast map from AccuWeather shows which states could see episodes of haze or smoke this summer. This forecast map from AccuWeather shows which states could see episodes of haze or smoke this summer. AccuWeather What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said, in an advisory shared with Newsweek: "Another southward press of Canadian wildfire smoke is underway, blanketing the sky with hazy conditions across the northern Plains, Midwest and Northeast once again this week. "Some good news is on the way later this week in Canada, where a majority of the active fires are burning, as a storm is expected to sweep through and bring beneficial rain across the western and central provinces between Friday and Sunday. The return of rain across the region can temporarily slow the rate of wildfire spread in the region and, in some cases, may be able to put some fires out. "The pattern change this week may be able to temporarily mitigate the concerns for expansive wildfire smoke intrusions heading into the latter half of June, but above-average warmth and a general continuation of below-average rainfall is expected this summer, which will further increase the risk for a smoke and haze filled sky at times throughout the summer season in the northern and eastern United States." What Happens Next According to AccuWeather experts, clear, hazeless blue skies may remain uncommon across the Midwest and Northeast until mid-summer, as Canadian wildfires continue to burn. The outlet predicts that this year in the U.S., between seven million and nine million acres of land will burn, which would be above the historical average.

Americans Warned To Prepare as New Hurricane Forecast Issued
Americans Warned To Prepare as New Hurricane Forecast Issued

Newsweek

time6 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Americans Warned To Prepare as New Hurricane Forecast Issued

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new hurricane forecast from Colorado State University (CSU) stresses the need for Americans to prepare for this year's hurricane season, as the U.S. coastline has an above-average chance of seeing at least one major hurricane make landfall this year. The updated forecast was issued nearly two weeks after the Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and mirrors the university's first forecast of the year issued in April. Newsweek reached out to CSU by email for comment. Why It Matters Last year, the number of hurricanes that formed during the Atlantic hurricane season was above average. There were 18 named storms, with 11 hurricanes and five major hurricanes. A major hurricane occurs when hurricanes are classified as Category 3 or higher. This year's Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1. So far, no tropical storms or hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic basin. A hurricane is seen from space. A hurricane is seen from space. buradaki/Getty What To Know Earlier this spring, CSU meteorologists issued their first Atlantic hurricane forecast of the year. At that time, they were anticipating 17 named storms, with nine strengthening into hurricanes and four becoming major hurricanes. The forecast falls within the ranges shared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast in May. The updated forecast from CSU revealed there is a 51 percent chance that at least one major hurricane will make landfall along the U.S. coastline this season. The chances drop to 26 percent for the East Coast, including the Florida peninsula, and 33 percent for the Gulf Coast, including the Florida panhandle. "The probability of U.S. and Caribbean major hurricane landfall is estimated to be above its long-period average," the forecast said. The chance of a higher-than-average hurricane season was credited to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral conditions in the tropical Pacific and slightly warmer sea surface temperatures than is normal in the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. "A warmer-than-normal Atlantic combined with ENSO neutral conditions typically favors an active Atlantic hurricane season via dynamic and thermodynamic conditions that are conducive for developing hurricanes," the forecast said. The Eastern Pacific season, which began on May 15, has produced three named storms, including one hurricane. What People Are Saying CSU's updated forecast: "Coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season for them. Thorough preparations should be made for every season, regardless of how much activity is predicted." National Hurricane Center (NHC) in a forecast for the Atlantic: "For the North Sea and the Gulf of America: Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days." What Happens Next Should a disturbance form in the Atlantic, the NHC will begin to issue updates about its path and strength.

Governor signs new law protecting pets during natural disasters: 'All states need to do this'
Governor signs new law protecting pets during natural disasters: 'All states need to do this'

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Governor signs new law protecting pets during natural disasters: 'All states need to do this'

Florida's governor has made it a felony to abandon pets during natural disasters. The new state law was inspired by a dog named Trooper, who was intentionally tied up and left behind during Hurricane Milton. As AccuWeather reported, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 150, also known as Trooper's Law, to prevent aggravated animal cruelty. This issue reached the Florida Legislature after a 23-year-old left his dog while fleeing Hurricane Milton because he couldn't find anyone else to care for him. Authorities arrested and charged the man with a third-degree felony, sparking conversations about enforcing stricter penalties for abandoning pets during emergencies. Fortunately, Trooper survived the storm after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper rescued him along Interstate 75 near Tampa. He was originally named Jumbo but was renamed after the hero who saved his life. A couple in Parkland, Florida, later adopted the dog. "Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response," DeSantis said. "Florida stands by man's best friend." This law is encouraging because it may deter other people from leaving their pets behind when faced with evacuation orders during an extreme storm. Unfortunately, this situation is all too common in storm-prone areas such as the Florida coast. The impacts of our changing climate are making storms more intense, causing severe rain and flooding conditions that are challenging for any animal to survive. Hurricane evacuation orders are becoming more frequent in Florida and other coastal regions, so it's critical that we prepare for devastating weather as much as possible. Laws that protect animals help preserve domestic and animal welfare, saving lives and supporting healthy, balanced ecosystems. Anyone in Florida who restrains and abandons a dog during an evacuation or a declared disaster faces five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In response to an ABC News Facebook post about the new law, one social media user commented, "We need to plan for not only the people but for the pets too." "ALL states need to do this," a Facebook user suggested. "No one should be left behind, especially our pets," someone else wrote. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store