Executive Summary
- An accidental anhydrous ammonia leak occurred in Weatherford, Oklahoma, on Thursday morning, triggering an emergency response.
- Authorities issued shelter-in-place orders for a specific area and evacuated other residents to designated centers.
- The chemical release forced the closure of Weatherford Public Schools and the local campus of Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
An accidental anhydrous ammonia leak in Weatherford, Oklahoma, on Thursday morning prompted authorities to issue shelter-in-place orders and conduct evacuations for residents in a designated area. The chemical release led to the closure of public schools and a university campus as emergency responders managed the scene.
Officials advised residents located east of Washington Street, south of Davis Avenue, and north of Main Street to shelter in place. They were instructed to turn off heating and air conditioning systems to prevent fumes from entering their homes. Businesses within this zone were also directed to remain closed.
For those in the mandatory evacuation zone, authorities established a reception center at the Pioneer Event Center. The Cheyenne & Arapaho Emergency Response Center also opened to provide cots and charging stations for displaced residents.
The incident resulted in the closure of all Weatherford Public Schools for the day. Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) also closed its Weatherford campus, canceling all in-person classes. The university advised students in on-campus housing to shelter in place, keeping windows and doors closed, and to check online systems for the status of virtual classes.
Official Response
First responders were on site to contain the leak and ensure public safety. Authorities have stated that this is a developing situation and are advising the public to follow all official directives. Only essential personnel involved in the emergency operations were asked to report to the area.