Washington — Chemical facilities “need to act now” to put together for a hurricane season that’s predicted to be extra energetic than common, the Chemical Safety Board says.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration not too long ago issued a forecast that elevated to 60% from 30% the probability of “above-normal” exercise within the Atlantic this hurricane season, which lasts via Nov. 30.
“Hurricanes and other extreme weather events can severely damage chemical facilities and cause chemical accidents that put nearby communities and facility workers in serious risk of harm,” CSB Chair Steve Owens stated in a press launch. “With this hurricane season predicted to be even worse than usual, chemical companies need to act now to make sure that their facilities can withstand the impact of a hurricane or other extreme wind event, including having reliable backup generators in case there is a loss of power to a facility.”
Per CSB, “serious chemical releases that resulted from, or were made worse by, loss of power” occurred throughout Hurricanes Harvey (August 2017) and Laura (August 2020).
