(Woodward, OK) A hydrogen chloride gas leak at the Deepwater Chemical plant just outside of the Woodward Airport forced an emergency evacuation of a square mile Thursday afternoon.
Woodward County Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer issued the evacuation order at 2:35 p.m. Thursday. The evacuation order included surrounding residences and the Juvenile Detention Center, and totaling more than 100 people. Lehenbauer reported the facility had stopped the leak at 3:10, as well as the gas plume had dissipated.
Residents and workers were allowed to return to their domiciles and places of business.. Deepwater Chemical’s hazardous materials team was able to stop the leak, Lehenbauer said. The whole affair only lasted 40 minutes.
