TX - Fertilizer plant explodes in West, Texas

[Kimster]

Doug Delony ‏@DougDelonyKHOU 1h
The viral photo of the smoke plume above #WestTX explosion is NOT #WestTX. It's Big Spring, TX in 2008. pic.twitter.com/yPXDBW3TEw

Seriously? :doh:

Oh for crying out loud! The media - both social and mainstream - has been out of control this week! :notgood:

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

And the number of displaced/homeless pets that are going to come from this disaster either because their owners have left them behind or possibly due to their owners death.

If anyone sees links for local rescues that will be evacuating pets please post it, I would like to donate. I would assume the shelters in that area are already overflowing so hopefully some agencies will be looking at transporting animals north.

From FB:

The Humane Society of Central Texas will have our van at the Marable exit at St Francis Church in West to transport any displaced pets to the shelter in Waco!

Pictures of the pets brought in from West will be put in a special FB album to make them easy to identify.

We are available as needed! 254-754-1454.

Sorry, can't link until tonight, but that is verbatim.

- - - -
Also say Texas A&M's Veterinary Emergency response Team (VET) is on the way to help, supporting the SAR dogs. Bless them!

 

[tk71texas]

Seriously? :doh:

Oh for crying out loud! The media - both social and mainstream - has been out of control this week! :notgood:

which picture?

 

[Softail]

Doug Delony ‏@DougDelonyKHOU 1h
The viral photo of the smoke plume above #WestTX explosion is NOT #WestTX. It's Big Spring, TX in 2008. pic.twitter.com/yPXDBW3TEw

Thanks for this. I thought that picture looked weird. It was too light out to me.

If you google "big spring texas 2008 explosion", images, it is clearly a picture from that explosion.

Shame on whoever put that out there. :notgood:

 

[Sporky]

I have a friend in Houston who works for a engineering company and they have been hired to head over to West and start conducting an investigation.

 

[PoirotryInMotion]

We were just west of here on Monday of this week, on the other side of I-35. So very sad. It's small-town Texas at its best, so many good, solid folk. Happy to read our friends at the Kolache shop are okay.

Our college kid is driving back down that direction as I post this. I'm hoping I-35 is closed around West if things are still dangerous in the area (if they're still worried about a second explosion). I read in the news last night that a lady driving on I-35 was blown into the next lane by the explosion.

 

[SailorMoon]

Helicopters are up now. News conference ready to start shortly.

ETA - wow....it looks devastating. Still smoky and only creepy thing missing would be air raid sirens going off in the background.

So lucky that it was not during school hours.

 

[tk71texas]

which picture?

nevermind i found it

 

[SurfieTX]

List of resources/organizations/Facebook pages here:

http://www.khou.com/home/West-Texas-Things-you-need-to-know-203526911.html

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/helpfu...cle_dd5988c4-f042-5a11-b277-7ba019be157a.html

Helpful Links for Those Affected




We had a little break from the heavy rain, but it's just started here (in Waco). Hopefully it's not pouring in West right now. Sigh.

 

[wfgodot]

We were just west of here on Monday of this week, on the other side of I-35. So very sad. It's small-town Texas at its best, so many good, solid folk. Happy to read our friends at the Kolache shop are okay.

Our college kid is driving back down that direction as I post this. I'm hoping I-35 is closed around West if things are still dangerous in the area (if they're still worried about a second explosion). I read in the news last night that a lady driving on I-35 was blown into the next lane by the explosion.

The kolaches! Yes! That's what I was trying to think of. I stopped at an ice house that sold kolaches.

 

[The Cheese]

Eric King ‏@EricKingNBC5 6m
Morris Bridges is his mane

Photo of missing fire fighter. Standby for name. @NBCDFW #WestExplosion pic.twitter.com/jVqXYIBlEo

 

[Softail]

How can I find shelter or help out?

For information on family and loved ones in West, there is an emergency hotline set up: 254-202-1100.
•Central United Methodist Church
•Texas State Technical State College in Waco
•Blair's Cove Apartment in Waco
•Gholson ISD
•Gholson Baptist Church
•Latham Springs Inn
•Aquilla ISD
•Alliance Auto Auction on I-35
•Sykora Family Ford in West
•Abbot Community Center
•La Vega Veterinary Clinic- taking in small animals for the night
•Pharmacy at H-E-B store on Woodway is open
•The Home Depot in Bellmead has reopened for anyone needing to buy supplies.
•Organizations taking donations or items (clothing, blankets, etc.) for victims:
•Scott and White Blood and Donation Center- taking blood donations overnight
•Point West Bank - drop off or send to 200 West Oak Street, West 76691

The scene Thursday morning

Officials in West, Texas, are labeling the deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant that left more than 160 hurt a crime scene.


http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/texas/how-can-i-find-shelter-or-help-out

 

[The Cheese]

KPRC Local 2 Houston ‏@KPRCLocal2 4m
Authorities hold a press conference with new details into #WestTX explosion. WATCH LIVE --> http://bit.ly/17rIyoX

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

We were just west of here on Monday of this week, on the other side of I-35. So very sad. It's small-town Texas at its best, so many good, solid folk. Happy to read our friends at the Kolache shop are okay.

Our college kid is driving back down that direction as I post this. I'm hoping I-35 is closed around West if things are still dangerous in the area (if they're still worried about a second explosion). I read in the news last night that a lady driving on I-35 was blown into the next lane by the explosion.

Here's a TxDot link, PIM

Safe travels to your son or daughter

http://www.txdot.gov/

 

[SailorMoon]

Sgt. Swanson speaking, spokesman, giving what info he can relay from command post.

Casualty numbers have not been positively confirmed. 160 plus injured. He is being relieved and going back to Waco.DPS counterparts will be relieving him. They are taking the command van back with them. Working deaths on outer perimeter of explosion, still search and rescue, very slow and methodical to be done correctly so that they don't miss anything.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Sgt Swanton doing an update (cows participating, still!)

Still on search and rescue status

 

[Florida Native]

My heart goes out to those who are in the area of this horrible tragedy. I'm the wife of a firefighter and have been reminded twice this week how dangerous his job can be.

And I'd like to take a minute to thank all of you wonderful people on this site. i made the mistake of trying to read the comments on CNN's site and people are just vicious. I'm so thankful for this safe-haven here. You may not all agree but at least most of the time it is a respectful discussion (and if it gets testy the mods are top notch and on the ball ). :gthanks: Now I'm back on topic.

 

[SailorMoon]

Having to shore up before they can go into homes. One is an apartment complex. Will take a while.

 

[The Cheese]

Office of Gov Perry ‏@TexGov 2m
For info on donation locations, shelter information, medical assistance, how to donate blood & more.: http://governor.state.tx.us/disaster/#.UXALKhlNqIk.twitter … #WestTX