Vermilion Parish, Natural Gas Plant Explosion – April 21, 2006

This was a short duration event with a fire developing after an explosion at the plant. WFO Lake Charles provided HAZMAT Spot Forecasts and remained in frequent communication as a strong squall line approached from the northwest. As a result of such consultations, the decision was made to give maximum effort to suppressing the fire and speeding up recovery efforts. The WFO continued close communications with the command post while issuing Severe Thunderstorm Warnings with the squall line passage. Four HAZMAT Spot Forecasts were issued along with numerous phone conversations to the on-scene coordinator as the squall line pushed through South-Central Louisiana during the afternoon hours.

Sgt. Paul Van Kerhove, Special Operations, Louisiana State Police Troop I, thanked WFO Lake Charles for their forecast expertise:

            “Their timely information was instrumental in the success of our mission!”