At forums, Arclin, Kanawha emergency officials address ammonia leak, alert 'snafus'

About a dozen residents attended the second open house at Belle's town hall Monday night, where residents asked questions about Arclin's ammonia release that had mobile phones buzzing with emergency alerts on Aug. 16. The leak prompted a shelter-in-place order from the county's emergency response agency. 

Additional details on the incident

David Fletcher, who is the mayor of Belle and chief of the Belle Fire Department, described the events surrounding the Aug. 16 ammonia release. On that day, during the annual town festival and car show — which he said was attended by at least 250 people — Fletcher was notified by Metro 911 about a recommended shelter-in-place for the west side of the plant, toward DuPont City.

Shortly after that, the Belle Fire Department was dispatched to the plant, located at 901 W. DuPont Ave. Fletcher coordinated with emergency personnel and updated town officials who were still in Belle.

"There was an alert that said [everyone] east of the plant to the Fayette County line needed to shelter in place," Fletcher said. "So, I ended up calling Metro back, and they told me that was a mistake. It was just the western end. So, nothing affected Belle whatsoever."

After about an hour, the situation was resolved once plant personnel were able to turn off the affected valve, and the plant was secured.

According to Alicia Hunt, plant manager at Arclin, the leak involved a release of 66 pounds of ammonia — about the equivalent of three retail propane cylinders that might be used for a barbecue grill.

“It was a very minor release,� Hunt said, emphasizing that the plant’s safety systems quickly detected the issue.

Emergency alert concerns

C.W. Sigman, Kanawha County’s director of emergency management, explained the layered alert systems available for incidents like this, which include:

• An outdoor emergency alert system with loudspeaker sirens 
  
• Reverse 911 phone calls
• Emergency alerts to mobile devices
• Weather radios

These tools, he said, are designed to reach as many residents as possible.

Reverse 911 calls reach landlines, while wireless alerts notify cellphones — although some services require residents to opt in. Weather radios provide another reliable option, especially in areas with poor cell coverage. Sigman also noted the county is developing a new mobile app to enhance communication. As a last resort, responders may go door-to-door in affected areas, although this is considered inefficient.

Sigman emphasized that coordination between Metro 911, emergency management and broadcasters is ongoing to ensure timely alerts. Still, he acknowledged, there were “snafus� in the Aug. 16 response.

“Some people didn’t get the alert, and we’re trying to make sure we get the right ones to the right people," he said.

Some residents received text messages and phone calls, while others received no alerts, according to Sigman. Confusion also arose over which areas were under the shelter-in-place order. Sigman said Metro 911 will use better parameter directions, with specific locations.

"That's where they have to say, from the plant to the [Marmet Lock & Dam], from the plant to the bridge, from Patrick Street to Montrose [Drive], or wherever it may be," Sigman said. "Don't tell me east or west, north or south. Don't tell me it's a quarter mile. Tell me from this point to this point."

Sigman added that conflicting information circulated during the incident.

“The remote areas where ... cellphones don't have coverage are also less likely to have a chemical event and are more likely to have a weather event,� he said.

As an example, he pointed to Cabin Creek.

“People live up there, but there's no cellphone coverage. So, we have to hit them with the reverse 911, or the emergency alert system, hoping they're watching their phone or watching TV, or have a radio on.�

Instead of relying solely on cellphones or social media, Sigman suggested keeping a television or radio on to hear additional official emergency updates from meteorologists.

Additionally, find breaking news alerts and updates at wvgazettemail.com.  

Plant safety measures

Sigman and Hunt said the shelter-in-place order was issued out of an abundance of caution when the size of the release was not initially clear.

Fletcher and Hunt described the safety systems at the Arclin facility, which include a double-walled ammonia tank surrounded by a nitrogen-purged barrier, relief devices to prevent pressure buildup, and a network of sensors on the tank and along the fence line. These sensors feed into the control system, which is monitored around the clock.

“Those alarms are set much lower than any amount that would be dangerous to life or health,� Hunt said.

Hunt added Arclin is reviewing the incident.

“Once we finish the investigation," Hunt said, "whatever recommendations come out of that, we will implement.�

Fletcher remains confident in the plant’s safety, citing his involvement with community advisory panels and regular fire department inspections.

"People ask, 'Are you afraid to live in Belle anymore?'" Fletcher said. "I've lived here my whole life ... and I haven't ever really been afraid."