Residents react after semi carrying 34,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid overturns
By Kate Devine
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MCPHERSON, Kansas (KAKE) — A semi-truck hauling thousands of pounds of hydrochloric acid overturned Tuesday morning in McPherson, prompting evacuations, road closures and a large hazmat response. Officials later confirmed that only about 20 gallons of the chemical actually leaked, far less than originally feared.
The rollover happened just after 9 a.m. at the intersection of Kansas Avenue and the Old 81 Bypass. McPherson Fire Chief Chad Mayberry said the semi was carrying 34,000 pounds of hydrochloric acid inside large storage totes.
“When crews arrived on scene, they found a semi trailer that was attempting to turn west onto US 56,” Mayberry said. “The product was in storage totes, and when the trailer laid over, the acid started leaking.”
Residents at a nearby motel said they woke up to flashing lights and officers blocking the area.
“This morning, I was sleeping,” said Jennifer Brandon, who lives next to the intersection. “When I woke up, I had seen all the police cars outside trying to get out.”
Her friend, Alexis Ortiz, said neighbors first warned them that the truck was hauling chemicals.
“My girlfriend was walking her dogs, and the neighbor over there was talking about how there was like acid or something inside the truck,” Ortiz said. “No idea how the truck even got to that position. There wouldn’t be anything for it to hit.”
Hazmat crews placed booms around a storm drain to prevent the acid from entering the sewer system. The driver of the semi made it out safely and refused treatment at the scene.
For much of the day, crews believed thousands of gallons may have leaked, with cleanup expected to continue into the overnight hours.
“We were talking minus what has leaked originally, approximately 3,200 gallons,” Mayberry said earlier Tuesday. “It’ll definitely extend well into this evening, possibly into the overnight hours.”
Around 4 p.m., environmental contractors were able to access the back of the trailer and found a far better situation than expected.
“They determined that one tote narrowly missed hitting a pole and rupturing it by just a few inches,” Mayberry said. “They did locate one tote that had leaked about 20 gallons of hydrochloric acid.”
Mayberry called it “very good news” and said crews were able to upright the intact totes and move them to another truck, drastically reducing the cleanup time.
“There’s no ongoing danger,” he said. “We are actually in the process of reducing the area to a couple hundred feet.”
Brandon said she’s simply grateful the spill wasn’t worse.
“I’m just thankful everybody’s okay. There’s not major injuries.”
A warming and evacuation shelter was opened at The Cedars Conference Center for anyone displaced.
In an update late Tuesday night, McPherson Fire Chief Chad Mayberry said roadways were reopened at 11:30 p.m.
“The remediation contractor will return on Wednesday morning to complete the removal of contaminated soil adjacent to the intersection,” he said. “One lane will be closed to make room for the work to be completed. The intersection will be open while the work is being done.”
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