Authorities in Weatherford, Oklahoma ordered evacuations after a tanker truck began leaking ammonia gas overnight, sending toxic vapor through a nearby neighborhood and hotel parking lot and injuring dozens of residents and first responders.
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How the Leak Started
Police discovered the leak in the parking lot of a Holiday Inn, where the truck driver had stopped to rest. Investigators believe a mechanical failure, either a damaged valve or a faulty seal, allowed anhydrous ammonia to escape from the tanker, quickly forming a hazardous gas cloud that spread into the surrounding area.
Injuries and Emergency Response
Roughly 36 people were taken to a local hospital, while another 10 patients with more severe injuries, including burns and respiratory distress, were transported to Oklahoma City for treatment. Firefighters wearing gas masks went door to door to wake and evacuate sleeping residents from the affected area.
Evacuations and Shelter-in-Place Orders
Nearly 600 residents sought shelter at emergency facilities, while others were told to shelter in place inside their homes. Nursing homes in the area were evacuated, and local schools closed as crews worked to contain the leak. Ambulances were also dispatched to assist residents with mobility limitations during the evacuation.
Cleanup and Ongoing Risk
According to local reporting, officials expect the cleanup process to take several days, with environmental crews working to dilute the ammonia and monitor air quality until levels return to safe thresholds. Anhydrous ammonia, commonly used as an agricultural fertilizer, is a colorless gas with a sharp, suffocating odor that can cause severe injury to the eyes, lungs, and skin, and can be fatal with prolonged exposure. Authorities say further updates will be issued as cleanup progresses and evacuation zones are adjusted.