Huge Explosion in West, Texas (Please Help!)

[NekoParks]

Huge Explosion in West, Texas

There are many Texans that post on AH, so they probably know about the tragedy that occurred in a small Texas town north of Waco. Here is a link to the story so far.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/powerful-exploson-rocks-town-north-of-waco-203508001.html

Calls have gone out for blood in communities as far north as Dallas. There are a huge number of injured people. Blood banks were already in need due to Boston bombing. If you can donate blood, please go to your local blood bank tomorrow morning.

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/texas-blood-center-needs-donors-in-wake-of-boston-tragedy

http://www.carterbloodcare.org/

There may be as many as 70 dead and hundreds of people injured. If you want to help, contact the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Any Texans that want to help can donate blood at your local blood bank. The injured are being care flighted to all major Texas cities—Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, and San Antonio.

Many first responders may have been killed in the initial explosion.

 

[slyc_willie]

Holy crap.

I haven't had the news on today, so didn't hear about this. Waco is only a couple hours north of where I am.

Unfortunately, I can't donate blood. I'll have to offer more spiritual aid than physical.

 

[NekoParks]

Holy crap.

I haven't had the news on today, so didn't hear about this. Waco is only a couple hours north of where I am.

Unfortunately, I can't donate blood. I'll have to offer more spiritual aid than physical.

That's okay. If you can donate baby formula, diapers, and anything else... your local news will tell you where to drop off the donations. Waco Convention Center says that they need everything. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are already on the scene trying to help.

The FAA is diverting flights around the air space over West, Texas. The fire is huge. This is really bad. People said they felt the blast 60 miles away. Many thought what they felt was an earthquake.

People are already showing up at Parkland Hospital's Trauma Center to donate. I plan on donating tomorrow morning.

 

[slyc_willie]

That's okay. If you can donate baby formula, diapers, and anything else... your local news will tell you where to drop off the donations. Waco Convention Center says that they need everything. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are already on the scene trying to help.

The FAA is diverting flights around the air space over West, Texas. The fire is huge. This is really bad. People said they felt the blast 60 miles away. Many thought what they felt was an earthquake.

I think I can make a trip to my local HEB for a donation. I've no doubt they'll be accepting them tomorrow.

Thanks for the head's up.

 

[TxRad]

Fertilizer is ammonia nitrate, a very high explosive. It was what was used in Oklahoma City.

There were two explosions. One at 8 pm and one at 10 pm.

I saw some pictures and the smoke cloud looks like an atomic bomb mushroom cloud but a dirty grey and brown.

 

[NekoParks]

Fertilizer is ammonia nitrate, a very high explosive. It was what was used in Oklahoma City.

There were two explosions. One at 8 pm and one at 10 pm.

I saw some pictures and the smoke cloud looks like an atomic bomb mushroom cloud but a dirty grey and brown.

Exactly. The pictures on the news are unbelievable. The entire area is on fire. They are using school buses to take the injured to local hospitals. The news just said that there may be several hundred injured.

Local news just reported that the explosion registered as a 2.1 earthquake. People as far north as Duncanville felt it.

Recent report: Over 100 injured at Hilcrest Baptist Hospital in Waco at 1:21 AM. Over 65 are being treated in Dallas area hospitals.

 

[NaokoSmith]

I am so sorry for all who are affected by this.

 

[steve44uk]

I am so sorry for all who are affected by this.

I feel kin of helpless, being so far away. My thoughts are with those poor people and their families...

 

[johneb87]

Just saw this and saw the video on CNN. Sending good thoughts to all in the area.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Fertilizer is ammonia nitrate, a very high explosive. It was what was used in Oklahoma City.

And the 1947 Texas City disaster. I take my hat off to the fire crews whose job involves fighting fertiliser fires instead of running like hell :-(

 

[NekoParks]

There are many Texans that post on AH, so they probably know about the tragedy that occurred in a small Texas town north of Waco. Here is a link to the story so far.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/texas-news/powerful-exploson-rocks-town-north-of-waco-203508001.html

Calls have gone out for blood in communities as far north as Dallas. There are a huge number of injured people. Blood banks were already in need due to Boston bombing. If you can donate blood, please go to your local blood bank tomorrow morning.

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin/texas-blood-center-needs-donors-in-wake-of-boston-tragedy

http://www.carterbloodcare.org/

There may be as many as 70 dead and hundreds of people injured. If you want to help, contact the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Any Texans that want to help can donate blood at your local blood bank. The injured are being care flighted to all major Texas cities—Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, and San Antonio.

Many first responders may have been killed in the initial explosion.

Our local news reported that over 300 units of blood were sent from our area to Waco. Even if you are not in an area that is directly affected by an emergency, you can help by donating blood where you are.

When a disaster happens, usually there is a call all over the country for blood. Right now, our blood bank desperately needs A negative blood. Giving blood hurts less than having a shot and it really saves lives.

A big thank you to all of the caring messages from people around the world.

 

[PennLady]

Just saw this when I checked the news this morning. So sad. I hope the fatality and injured list doesn't get any worse.

 

[danger2no]

Sorry to hear about this. People are in my thoughts and prayers

 

[SweetWitch]

We were informed today that 10 of our coworkers in West were evacuated. Some of them lost their homes. Not only did they lose their homes, but they lost their offices. These are work-from-home employees, so losing your house also loses your ability to do your job. They lost everything except their lives.

Except their lives--I guess that's what counts.

 

[slyc_willie]

We were informed today that 10 of our coworkers in West were evacuated. Some of them lost their homes. Not only did they lose their homes, but they lost their offices. These are work-from-home employees, so losing your house also loses your ability to do your job. They lost everything except their lives.

Except their lives--I guess that's what counts.

It is indeed. Although it's hard to tell someone that in the middle of grief.

My wife and I didn't hesitate to place a donation this afternoon at our HEB. They actually had a little booth there for it.

 

[SweetWitch]

It is indeed. Although it's hard to tell someone that in the middle of grief.

My wife and I didn't hesitate to place a donation this afternoon at our HEB. They actually had a little booth there for it.

The company is setting things in motion for them and offering assistance, but they're also asking for donations. Payday is tomorrow. I'll being forking over a chunk.

 

[NekoParks]

Links for Salvation Army & Red Cross

It is indeed. Although it's hard to tell someone that in the middle of grief.

My wife and I didn't hesitate to place a donation this afternoon at our HEB. They actually had a little booth there for it.

The company is setting things in motion for them and offering assistance, but they're also asking for donations. Payday is tomorrow. I'll being forking over a chunk.

Molly and Slyc, thank you so much for helping out. I've donated to the Salvation Army and Red Cross today. Here are some helpful links I found on the web today:

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/18/west-texas-explosion-how-you-can-help

https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf


Also, there are blood drives all over my area of Texas. I signed up to donate at a church around the corner from me this weekend. Our local hospitals said on the news that they are able to meet their blood needs for now, but if people could donate in the next week or so would help replenish the blood supply--that is if you are able to donate. Many people can't and that's fine too.

 

[slyc_willie]

Molly and Slyc, thank you so much for helping out. I've donated to the Salvation Army and Red Cross today. Here are some helpful links I found on the web today:

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/18/west-texas-explosion-how-you-can-help

https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf


Also, there are blood drives all over my area of Texas. I signed up to donate at a church around the corner from me this weekend. Our local hospitals said on the news that they are able to meet their blood needs for now, but if people could donate in the next week or so would help replenish the blood supply--that is if you are able to donate. Many people can't and that's fine too.

I honestly wish I could donate blood, but I am extremely hypercoagulant. If I were to give anyone blood, it would probably make matters much worse for them.

I'm happy for the donation my wife and I were able to give, though. This happened to occur right on payday, and all of our bills are up to date, so we indulged a little and sent $100 because we could.

 

[D_Lynn]

Molly and Slyc, thank you so much for helping out. I've donated to the Salvation Army and Red Cross today. Here are some helpful links I found on the web today:

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/04/18/west-texas-explosion-how-you-can-help

https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf


Also, there are blood drives all over my area of Texas. I signed up to donate at a church around the corner from me this weekend. Our local hospitals said on the news that they are able to meet their blood needs for now, but if people could donate in the next week or so would help replenish the blood supply--that is if you are able to donate. Many people can't and that's fine too.

I just got back in town and saw this on the news last night. It's just not that big of a story on the west coast, I guess, especially with the Boston drama.

My son just donated on Monday, but I'll see that my husband and I get out and do this today.

Thanks, Neko.

 

[Bramblethorn]

This doesn't sound good:

The OSHA – the federal body tasked with making sure that working conditions comply with safety standards – has not visited the fertilizer factory for 28 years, despite the potentially hazardous nature of the chemicals stored there. On that visit, in 1985, it identified one serious and two other violations. The company was fined just $30... The OSHA covers 7 million worksites in the US but has just 2,000 inspectors nationwide. Under its current funding, it can only conduct 40,000 inspections every year.

 

[TxRad]

This doesn't sound good:

OSHA, now protecting it's third generation of stupid people.

There is not enough money in fertilizer plants for OSHA. They are up the oil and gas industries ass 24/7 at the present and have been for nearly 10 years now. Before that it was power plants.

 

[Saxon_Hart]

OSHA, now protecting it's third generation of stupid people.

There is not enough money in fertilizer plants for OSHA. They are up the oil and gas industries ass 24/7 at the present and have been for nearly 10 years now. Before that it was power plants.

Of course I don't mind OSHA being all up in the refineries....I drive around every day hoping to high heaven that none of the many around here have an issue. Kinda spooky knowing all of the explosive power around here.
But OSHA does need to focus on other areas. They only hit the steel plants when someone gets mondo fucked up.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Of course I don't mind OSHA being all up in the refineries....I drive around every day hoping to high heaven that none of the many around here have an issue. Kinda spooky knowing all of the explosive power around here.
But OSHA does need to focus on other areas. They only hit the steel plants when someone gets mondo fucked up.

Sounds like they just don't have the resourcing. The article I linked mentioned a total of 2000 inspectors (pre-sequester) for the whole USA. Taken per capita, I think that's roughly one-fifth the staffing levels for comparable agencies in .au.

 

[PayDay]

Before you flip out, just wait, I mean very well.

Why isn't this getting the attention Boston or New Orleans or Columbine or Newtown?

Why is this being ignored? I understand that Texas takes care of their own, but kindness being rejected? Idon'tthinkso.

Also, it takes like over 1000 degree heat for an extended period of time to detonate fertilizer.

You basically need ammonium nitrate to detonate fertilizer, it is not the same thing.

You could use a barrel of diesel fuel, light the thing on fire, and the fertilizer still would not detonate.

It just doesn't make any sense.

Don't blame OSHA for anything but worker safety process. They are not responsible for testing the fertilizer.

This is sad I fell bad those in the Lone Star.

 

[SweetWitch]

Before you flip out, just wait, I mean very well.

Why isn't this getting the attention Boston or New Orleans or Columbine or Newtown?

Why is this being ignored? I understand that Texas takes care of their own, but kindness being rejected? Idon'tthinkso.

Also, it takes like over 1000 degree heat for an extended period of time to detonate fertilizer.

You basically need ammonium nitrate to detonate fertilizer, it is not the same thing.

You could use a barrel of diesel fuel, light the thing on fire, and the fertilizer still would not detonate.

It just doesn't make any sense.

Don't blame OSHA for anything but worker safety process. They are not responsible for testing the fertilizer.

This is sad I fell bad those in the Lone Star.

My understanding is (and there's no research in this, just what I remember from living on the farm) that ammonium nitrate is essentially only volatile in liquid form. When you throw water on it you get a discharge of dangerous gas and a huge kaboom. My concern is whether the volunteer firemen were given the proper training to deal with the incident in Texas. Without proper education, disaster can happen. I feel for them and I believe lessons can be learned here.