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A slow transition continues for residents in West, following last Wednesday’s explosion.
According to the city website, all residents are being encouraged to look for alternative housing for as long as three weeks. That’s due to severe damage to the city’s water system.
While a 7 p.m. curfew continues, small trucks and trailers are now allowed in some areas. Plans are still being developed to open access to the most damaged area adjacent to the former fertilizer plant within the next 24 to 48 hours.
No one has been hurt since the explosion.
According to the Mayor of West through tweets sent by the Heart of Texas and Central Texas Red Cross chapters, people are asked to cease all unsolicited in-kind donations.
From the City of West website:
– TOWN HALL MEETING is set for 6:00 PM Tuesday at KC HALL. Representatives from all agencies will be available to answer questions and concerns.
– OAK STREET barriers have been removed and placed at SPRING STREET at this time.
– There is NO ACCESS TO WATER, and limited electricity, and natural gas at this time.
– A curfew is in effect. All residents are encouraged to be out of the impacted area or inside their residences by 7:00 PM due to health and safety reasons. This curfew will be enforced by sunset.
– Due to the potential structural damage, residents should be aware of hazards that may include broken glass, nails, and other debris in the roadway.
– At this time, SMALL TRUCKS AND TRAILERS (NO LARGER THAN 16 FT IN LENGTH) ARE NOW ALLOWED IN zones 1 & 2. Vehicles & trailers larger than 10,000 lbs are prohibited.
– Residents should maintain a safe speed while travelling through the neighborhood.
– All ages are now allowed inside Zone 1 & 2. We please ask, keep any small children under your supervision at all times due to extreme safety hazards.
– PUBLIC WATER SERVICE WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN ALL AREAS FOR AT LEAST A WEEK, POSSIBLY UP TO 3 WEEKS. Preliminary reports state water infrastructure has been severely damaged. Engineers and City Public Works are on the scene and have reported this will take some time to restore. We encourage you to find a place to stay until we can get these services back online due to health and safety hazards. more details will be released as they are available.
– INSURANCE ADJUSTERS now have full access to zones 1 & 2 at this time to assess damage and start claims process.
– Currently a plan is in process to recover your VEHICLE ONLY in zone 3. MORE DETAILS ON THIS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.
– Re-entry to stage 3 is currently in the works at this time. We anticipate to have an announcement about details within the next 24-48 hours.
– We ask you be as patient as possible as this is the most difficult of all stages due to the extreme damage along with extreme health and safety hazards in that area. State along with local officials are actively patrolling that area on foot and ATV’S to keep it secure for our citizens. Rest assure your property and belongings are safe at this time.
– No injuries have been reported at this time.