A chemical spill in southern Iowa forced the residents of an entire community to shelter in place while authorities determined the seriousness of the situation.

A Huge Response from Emergency Managers

According to a joint news release early Thursday morning from Mahaska County Emergency Management, ADLM (Appanoose-Davis-Lucas-Monroe) Emergency Management, and Wapello County Emergency Management, Mahaska County was notified of a chemical release at approximately 8:20 Wednesday evening.

A Scary Night For Residents of the Town that Sits in Three Different Iowa Counties

The release states that initial reports on the chemical spill at Ajinomoto in Eddyville, Iowa were that it was "an acid leak and that both the plant and the city would need to be evacuated." Eddyville, a town of just over 1,000 according to World Population Review, is actually in parts of three different counties... Mahaska, Monroe, and Wapello.

Thankfully, Evacuation Wasn't Necessary

Emergency Management from ADLM, Mahaska, and Wapello County determined evacuation wasn't necessary but that everyone in Eddyville should shelter in place. That decision was based on information from the National Weather Service office in Des Moines, and a variety of responders with the Southeast Iowa Response Group.

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The Chemical Was Identified Thursday Morning

KCCI reported Thursday morning that the chemical that leaked was hydrochloric acid. It was allowed to run into a containment area and was then pumped from that area. The release stated that even though there was very minimal threat to area residents, they asked everyone in Eddyville to shelter in place until 1 a.m. Thursday morning.

School Delayed Due to Last Night's Events

The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District delayed classes two hours this morning due to last night's spill.

What Does Ajinomoto Make?

Ajinomoto Animal Nutrition, is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The Eddyville plant began operations in 1986. Home Base Iowa says the company makes feed-grade amino acids that are used as supplements in Swine, Poultry, and Dairy Cattle feed."

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