Executive Summary
- An explosion occurred at the CF Industries ammonia plant in Yazoo City around 4:25 p.m. Wednesday, causing an ongoing anhydrous ammonia leak.
- Officials have issued a shelter-in-place order for most of the city, with targeted evacuations for areas in close proximity to the plant.
- No deaths or injuries have been reported, and the company has confirmed all on-site personnel are accounted for.
- The American Red Cross has opened a reception center at Yazoo County High School to assist evacuated or affected residents.
An explosion at a CF Industries plant in Yazoo City, Mississippi, on Wednesday afternoon has resulted in an ongoing anhydrous ammonia leak, prompting officials to issue a shelter-in-place order for residents. The incident occurred at approximately 4:25 p.m., but no deaths or injuries have been reported.
In a public statement, CF Industries, a manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products, confirmed that “all employees and contractors on site at the time of the incident have been safely accounted for.” While a broad shelter-in-place advisory is active for the city, the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Office has ordered mandatory evacuations for specific areas, including Generette and Renshaw Road and businesses north of 15th Street.
Emergency response teams are managing the situation on the ground. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves confirmed that the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Public Safety are assisting local authorities. Hazardous material teams are actively monitoring air quality in the affected region.
To aid displaced residents, the American Red Cross has established a reception center at Yazoo County High School, providing a secure, climate-controlled environment. The organization is offering comfort and support and has advised evacuees to bring essential items such as medications, important documents, and personal hygiene products.
Ongoing Response
State and local agencies continue to assess the chemical leak and manage the public safety response. Residents have been instructed to follow all official directives from emergency personnel as the situation develops. The cause of the initial explosion remains under investigation.