Urgent Mass Evacuation in Weatherford After Toxic Gas Release

URGENT UPDATE: A chemical emergency has forced a mass evacuation in Weatherford, Oklahoma, with four individuals currently in critical condition after a tanker truck released toxic fumes overnight. The incident, which unfolded on November 13, 2025, began just before 10 p.m. when a valve malfunctioned on an 8,500-gallon tank trailer carrying anhydrous ammonia in a hotel parking lot.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, evacuating approximately 500 to 1,000 residents from nearby homes, including a hotel and three senior centers. The situation escalated quickly as local hospitals became overwhelmed with patients suffering severe respiratory issues. Residents were awakened in the middle of the night, with some, like Weatherford local Krystal Blackwell, fleeing their homes in pajamas. “It was a little crazy to wake up to,” Blackwell told KWTV-TV. “I really thought it was a kind of dream.”

Authorities confirmed that emergency crews, equipped with gas masks, conducted door-to-door evacuations. As the situation developed, the city, home to around 12,000 people, set up shelters to accommodate up to 600 evacuees by early Thursday morning. Schools were closed, and multiple nursing homes were evacuated as hazmat teams and units from the Oklahoma National Guard responded to the emergency.

Police Chief Angelo Orefice stated that hospitals treated dozens of patients, with the most serious cases transferred to specialized facilities for urgent care. The shelter-in-place order was lifted Thursday morning after crews successfully diluted the chemical, but cleanup efforts are expected to take days.

The U.S. Department of Transportation reported via Twitter that the chemical leak spread toxic gas over a square mile. The incident has raised alarms due to the hazardous nature of anhydrous ammonia, a substance commonly used as agricultural fertilizer that can cause burns upon contact.

The company involved, Airgas, a Pennsylvania-based gas distributor, released a statement emphasizing the importance of cautious handling of anhydrous ammonia. This alarming incident follows a similar ammonia leak in Mississippi that also prompted evacuations, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding the management of hazardous materials.

As the community begins to recover, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and stay informed about ongoing cleanup efforts. This developing story underscores the critical need for safety protocols involving hazardous materials to prevent future incidents.

Stay tuned for further updates on this situation as more information becomes available.