09/04/2026
This morning at approximately 6:00 a.m., emergency crews responded to an anhydrous ammonia release at the COOP located off Highway J.
The incident occurred during a delivery when a failure in the transfer system resulted in a significant release of anhydrous ammonia and the formation of a toxic v***r cloud. The driver attempted to stop the leak but was unsuccessful and was later transported to the hospital for medical care.
Based on conditions at the scene, wind direction, and hazardous materials guidance, Lincoln County Emergency Management declared a state of emergency and issued a temporary mandatory evacuation order for residents within the affected area.
Approximately 100 to 150 homes were initially included in the evacuation area. After the arrival and assessment of the St. Charles County HAZMAT Team, the evacuation area was expanded slightly, bringing the total number of affected homes to approximately 200.
Local schools were immediately contacted and placed under shelter-in-place precautions. Bus routes within the affected area were modified or canceled while the incident remained active.
The St. Charles County HAZMAT Team entered the affected area in specialized protective equipment and successfully stopped the leak approximately one hour and 45 minutes after the initial call.
Once the release was contained and conditions were determined to be safe, the evacuation order was lifted. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources remained involved with the environmental portion of the incident.
No injuries to the general public were reported, and no contaminated sites requiring additional mitigation were identified.
This incident required a significant, coordinated response involving Lincoln County Emergency Management, Lincoln County Fire Protection District #1, Winfield-Foley Fire Protection District, Hawk Point Fire Protection District, Lincoln County Ambulance District, Troy Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Charles County HAZMAT Team, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and local school officials.
I want to personally thank every responder, dispatcher, agency, and public safety partner involved this morning. Evacuating nearly 200 homes, coordinating school protective actions, establishing Unified Command, bringing in specialized hazardous materials resources, and safely stopping a significant chemical release required an exceptional level of cooperation.
Most importantly, the incident was brought under control without injury to the public.
Situations like this are exactly why our agencies train, plan, and work together. This morning, that coordination worked.
