Those who lived and/or did business closest to the West Fertilizer Company were allowed to re-enter Saturday morning. It’s the first time since last week’s explosion.
Officials posted on the City of West website a request for outsiders to not enter what has been called “Zone 3”.
The website, in capital letters, stated “PLEASE RESPECT OUR CITIZEN’S PRIVACY—LET THEM HAVE TIME TO GRIEVE AND RECOVER.” “PLEASE NO ORGANIZATIONS, GROUPS, MEDIA, OR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN AT THIS TIME.”
As of Saturday morning, authorized entry for Zone 3 was scheduled Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. No decision had been made on hours starting Monday.
Safety precautions include wearing protective masks in areas where ash particles can not be controlled, wearing protective clothing including goggles and watertight boots with steel toes and insoles, watch and mark hot spots, and get a tetanus shot.
As of Thursday, inspectors moved to a Rapid Evaluation Safety Assessment Form, using a three color coding system:
• Green (neon green) -Inspected -lawful occupancy permitted
• Yellow (neon yellow) – Restricted Use
• Orange (neon orange) – Unsafe. Do not enter or occupy (not a demolition order)
Those who have properties with red and orange tags are being told to get assistance from the National Recovery Center and Urban Search and Rescue.