During a chemical explosion, fire or toxic release, the most important thing you can do is follow official instructions. If you are told to evacuate, leave right away by the routes officials give. If you are told to shelter in place, get indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off fans, air conditioning and heating. If you think you were exposed, remove your clothing, wash with soap and water, and get medical help.
Georgia residents saw how quickly these emergencies unfold in September 2024, when a chemical reaction and fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers sent a plume over Rockdale County and led to evacuations and a county-wide shelter-in-place order. If you are hurt or your property is damaged in an incident like that, you may also have legal options against the company responsible.
Key Takeaways
- Sign up for local emergency alerts and follow official evacuation or shelter-in-place orders.
- To shelter in place, close and seal windows and doors and turn off fans, air conditioning and heating so outside air stays out.
- If you may have been exposed, take off your clothing, bag it, wash thoroughly and seek medical care.
- Keep records of injuries, symptoms, property damage and evacuation costs.
- Most Georgia injury claims must be filed within two years, and property damage claims within four.
Evacuate or Shelter in Place
Local officials decide whether people should leave or stay put based on the chemicals involved, the wind and the size of the release. Keep your phone charged, sign up for your county’s emergency alerts and follow local news and official social media accounts.
If You Are Told to Evacuate
- Leave promptly and follow the routes officials give. Avoid shortcuts that could take you closer to the plume.
- Take medications, important documents, phone chargers and supplies for children and pets.
- Check on neighbors who may need help, if you can do so safely.
If You Are Told to Shelter in Place
The CDC’s chemical emergency guidance recommends these steps:
- Bring everyone, including pets, inside and close and lock windows and doors.
- Turn off the fan, air conditioner and furnace, and close the fireplace damper.
- Go to a room you can seal off from outside air, ideally a large room with water, on the highest floor possible.
- Use duct tape and plastic sheeting to cover windows and seal vents, and tape around the door. Towels or clothing can be used in vents and under the door.
- Keep listening for official updates, and do not leave until officials say it is safe.
If You Are Outside or on the Road
- Move away from the area. Do not drive toward the scene or through smoke or haze.
- Close windows and vents. Keep your windows up, close the vents and turn off the fan. The CDC notes that vehicles may not be airtight enough to protect you, so get to a safe building if officials tell you to shelter.
- Follow closures and detours. Watch for emergency vehicles, road closures and debris, and drive defensively.
If You Think You Were Exposed
The CDC advises acting quickly, ideally within minutes:
- Get out of the contaminated area and into fresh air if you can do so safely.
- Remove your clothing. Taking off your clothes removes most of the chemical. Cut off clothing that would have to be pulled over your head.
- Double-bag it. Put clothing and contact lenses in a plastic bag, seal it and put it in a second bag.
- Wash. Wash your hair, face, hands and skin from head to feet with lukewarm water and mild soap, without scrubbing. Flush your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes if they burn or your vision is affected.
- Get medical help. Call 911 for trouble breathing or other serious symptoms. Watch for coughing, dizziness, burning eyes or skin irritation, and tell your provider what you may have been exposed to.
Read the full steps in the CDC’s guide to getting clean after a chemical emergency.
Document What Happened
After you are safe, start keeping records:
- Photos and video of the plume, smoke, residue on your property and any visible injuries
- Medical records and receipts, including urgent care and pharmacy visits
- Evacuation expenses, such as hotels, meals and mileage
- Missed work and lost income
- Official notices, alerts and orders that applied to your area
- Damaged or contaminated items, stored safely according to health officials’ guidance
Your Legal Options After a Chemical Incident
Chemical explosions and fires can result from improper storage, poor maintenance, failed safety systems or other negligence. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include the facility owner or operator, contractors, equipment manufacturers, or a trucking or rail company transporting hazardous materials. If a hazmat truck was involved, see our page on truck accident claims.
Possible claims may include personal injury, property damage, and in the worst cases wrongful death. Evacuation costs and lost income may also be part of a claim, depending on the facts. When many people are affected, cases may be grouped together or brought as class actions. If you receive a notice about a class action, read it carefully, because it can affect your rights.
Deadlines matter. Most personal injury claims in Georgia must be filed within two years (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), and property damage claims generally within four years (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-31). Our guide to Georgia personal injury deadlines explains the exceptions. Be careful with early offers and releases from a company or its insurer, and learn about common insurance lowball tactics before you sign anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I Evacuate or Shelter in Place During a Chemical Emergency?
Follow the instructions officials give for your area. Leaving when you have been told to shelter in place can expose you to more of the chemical, while staying when you have been told to evacuate can put you in danger. If you have not received instructions, get indoors, close windows and doors, and turn off your air system while you check official sources.
What Should I Do If I Smell Chemicals After the All-Clear?
Contact local emergency officials or your local health department and describe what you are noticing. If you or anyone in your home has trouble breathing or feels ill, leave the area and call 911.
Can I Recover Evacuation Costs and Lost Wages?
Possibly. Depending on the facts, costs such as hotel stays, meals and missed work may be part of a claim against the responsible company. Keep every receipt and record of missed time.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Chemical Explosion in Georgia?
Most injury claims must be filed within two years and most property damage claims within four years. Some exposure-related injuries develop over time, so talk with a lawyer early about how the deadlines apply to you.
If you or your family were hurt or suffered losses in a chemical explosion or release, The Gunn Law Group can review your options in a free, no-obligation consultation. There is no attorney fee unless we recover for you, and hablamos español. Call 888-BIG-GUNN (888-244-4866).
