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Oklahoma Ammonia Leak at Hotel Sickens Dozens as Evacuations Lifted

Investigators cite a likely valve or gasket failure on a 25,000‑pound anhydrous ammonia load.

Overview

  • An anhydrous ammonia plume formed around 10 p.m. Wednesday after a tanker parked behind a Holiday Inn Express in Weatherford began leaking.
  • Thirty-six people received hospital care, with 11 in serious or critical condition, including four who were life‑flighted to Oklahoma City.
  • Hundreds were moved to shelters, with officials reporting roughly 300–600 evacuees, and shelter‑in‑place orders were lifted Thursday morning after air tests improved.
  • Responders from local agencies, the Oklahoma National Guard’s 63rd Civil Support Team and the EPA stopped the active release and began community air monitoring.
  • Authorities are managing runoff that reached a storm drain and nearby creek, advising residents to air out homes and wash exposed clothing as multi‑day cleanup continues.