������������

���������� ������

��� ��������� ���

���������� ��������

����������������

By Gabe Licht

Anhydrous ammonia was last applied a couple months ago, and it will be a couple more months before the next application, but it’ s never a bad time to talk about anhydrous ammonia safety.

That fact was highlighted by a Nov. 14 anhydrous ammonia spill north of Brownton.

According to McLeod County Emergency Management Director Kevin Mathews, the incident was reported at 10:48 p. m. near the intersection of Plum Avenue and 90th Street about a mile north of Brownton.

It appears a mechanical failure caused a hose or valve to leak.

Members of the Brownton Fire Department were able to shut off the valves on the tanks in the field.

The anhydrous ammonia that had escaped formed a cloud that crept along the ground.

“ Especially that night we had a foggy night,” Mathews said.“ The deputies and firefighters going out into the area were driving around and not seeing they were in the anhydrous cloud. If it’ s clear, night or day, you can see the white cloud. With the fog, it was hard to tell.”

Some area residents also drove into the cloud before retreating.

According to Mathews, none of those individuals nor the farmer or emergency personnel sought medical treatment for anhydrous ammonia exposure, which can hamper breathing.

To prevent others from driving into the cloud, Mathews and emergency personnel established a perimeter around the site, shutting down roads in a section measuring 6 square miles, including Highway 15.

“ The cloud dissipated and we had responders who could smell it on Highway 15 a couple miles away,” Mathews said.

His department utilized CodeRed and IPAWS( Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) to notify people in that area of the situation. One family voluntarily evacuated, while the majority sheltered in place until the cloud dissipated.

By 2:30 a. m., the situation was resolved and roads were reopened.

Mathews said he was pleased with how the situation was handled.

������������������������������������������������������������������������

��������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������� �����������������������������������������������������������������������

������������

������������������ ������

��