CSB: Companies Can Prevent Catastrophic Chemical Incidents During Hurricane Season
The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) urges petroleum and chemical facilities to take immediate actions to prevent “catastrophic chemical releases” and protect workers, emergency responders, and members of surrounding communities during the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. CSB recommends that chemical facilities review the agency’s hurricane preparedness resources, some of which are linked in a July 2 news release. According to CSB, these resources emphasize thorough emergency planning, infrastructure resilience, and timely shutdown procedures to prevent fires, toxic releases, serious injuries, and fatalities that may occur when chemical facilities are damaged during hurricanes.
CSB’s guidance builds on lessons learned from past hurricanes, such as the flooding from Hurricane Harvey in 2017 that caused loss of power at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, and eventually led to a fire at the facility. Personnel attempted to move combustible organic peroxide into refrigerated trailers until rising flood waters forced the employees to evacuate. In the following days, the organic peroxide began to decompose and catch fire, producing clouds of toxic smoke. Emergency response officials shut down travel on Highway 90, evacuated more than 200 residents living near the facility, and initiated a controlled burn of the remaining organic peroxide. Details about the incident, response, and lessons learned can be found in CSB’s overview document (PDF), final report, and safety video.
Another hurricane-related chemical incident occurred in 2020, when a Bio-Lab facility in Westlake, Louisiana, was severely damaged by high winds from Hurricane Laura. Rainwater seeped into the damaged building and made contact with chemical product, starting a reaction that produced a fire and a plume of toxic gases. Emergency responders closed a nearby portion of Interstate 10 for 28 hours, and local officials issued a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents.
“The incident at Bio-Lab could have been prevented,” said Board Member Catherine Sandoval, in CSB’s safety video about the incident. “Companies must be prepared for the hazards extreme weather can present at their facilities.”
CSB also highlights a monograph on assessing and planning for natural hazards (PDF) developed by the Center for Chemical Process Safety. More information about the CSB’s hurricane preparedness recommendations and resources can be found in the agency’s news release.