Two explosions reported at flood-hit Texas chemical plant

Two explosions were reported at a flooded chemical plant in Texas town Crosby at 0700 GMT, emergency officials reported on Thursday.

The remaining workers at the Arkema SA chemical plant - where the explosions occurred - were evacuated by the company on Tuesday. Crosby lies about 25 miles northeast of Houston.

Company officials have said theyexpect more fires at the facility.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

Brock Long, the head of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said the plume of fumes was "incredibly dangerous."

But the US Environmental Protection Agency said it was reviewing data from an aircraft that surveyed the scene and had no indication that dangerous amounts of toxic materials have been released.

"This information indicates that there are no concentrations of concern for toxic materials reported at this time," it said.

Operators had warned that the plantwas at risk of exploding due to a "critical issue" triggered by monster storm Harvey's torrential rains.

As a precautionary measure, the Harris County had alreadyordered the evacuation of residents within a 1.5-mile (2.4-km) radius of the plant.

"At approximately 2 am CDT (0700 GMT), we were notified by the Harris County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) of two explosions and black smoke coming from the Arkema Inc plant in Crosby, Texas," the company statement said.

Spokeswoman Janet Smith had warned late Wednesday that the plant "is poised to explode, after power loss left it without refrigeration for organic peroxides, which become volatile as temperatures rise."

The facility had been evacuated following a dangerous loss of on-site refrigeration.

"Unprecedented flooding overwhelmed our primary power and two sources of emergency backup power," the company said in its statement.

"Organic peroxides are extremely flammable and, as agreed with public officials, the best course of action is to let the fire burn itself out," Arkema said.

"We want local residents to be aware that product is stored in multiple locations on the site, and a threat of additional explosion remains. Please do not return to the area within the evacuation zone until local emergency response authorities announce it is safe to do so."

Former Hurricane Harvey now downgraded into Tropical Depression Harvey weakened as it moved inland over Louisiana today, leaving behind record flooding that drove tens of thousands from their homes in Texas.

The storm has killed at least 35 people since coming ashore last Friday near Rockport inTexas.

The death toll was rising as bodies were found in receding waters.

The largest oil refinery in Port Arthur was shut in the flooding, again hitting US energy infrastructure that has sent gasoline prices climbing and disrupted global fuel supplies.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned on Wednesday that floodwaters would linger for up to a week and said the area affected was larger than that hit by 2005's Hurricane Katrina, which killed more than 1,800 people in New Orleans, and 2012's Superstorm Sandy, which killed 132 around New York and New Jersey.