From EOC
Matagorda County Office of Emergency Management reported the June 12 vinyl acetate vapor release at the Celanese plant in Matagorda County.
Containment procedures included continuously cooling the affected railcar with water to prevent escalation and to mitigate potential risks to personnel and the surrounding community, said Mitch Thames, the Matagorda County public information officer for Matagorda County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
The railcar was moved to an isolated and secure long-term storage location, reducing any potential risk to personnel and the surrounding area.
The team monitored the railcar’s temperature and pressure, making real-time adjustments to incident response measures as needed.
Cooling procedures maintained the integrity of the tanker and efforts were not impeded by the heavy rain last week.
The site continued to have full power, and there was no danger to the surrounding community, Thames said.
EOC assured residents and visitors that protecting public health and safety remains its highest priority.
The affected railcar remained at a safe and stable temperature overnight while active cooling measures were maintained.