An explosion at a chemical plant near Yazoo City, Mississippi, on Wednesday (November 5) led to an ammonia leak, prompting evacuations in the surrounding area. According to officials, the incident occurred at CF Industries, a manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products. Fortunately, no deaths or injuries have been reported.

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced on the social media platform X that emergency responders from across the state were actively addressing the anhydrous ammonia leak. He expressed gratitude to the state's first responders for their swift action. Photos and videos shared online show a large plume of yellowish smoke rising from the facility, which houses an ammonia plant and four nitric acid plants, among other structures.

The facility has the capacity to store approximately 48,000 tons of ammonia, though the exact amount present during the explosion remains unclear. CF Industries confirmed that all employees and contractors on-site at the time of the incident have been safely accounted for.

Local resident Andre Robinson, who lives about half a mile from the plant, spoke to the Associated Press and described hearing a loud boom that shook his house. Upon looking outside, he saw smoke and detected a strong ammonia odor. Robinson and his family have since evacuated to Jackson.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation temporarily closed part of U.S. Route 49E, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is conducting air monitoring operations to ensure public safety. Anhydrous ammonia, commonly used as a fertilizer, can cause burns if it comes into contact with skin in its gas or liquid form.

Yazoo City, located about 50 miles north of Jackson, is a small community that has been impacted by the explosion. The situation is being closely monitored, and efforts are ongoing to manage the aftermath of the incident.

Mandy Connell