Brunswick Evacuation: Still In Effect?

On April 15, 2023, a fire broke out at a plastic resin plant in Brunswick, Georgia, leading to a shelter-in-place order and subsequent evacuation order for residents within a half-mile radius of the plant. The fire, which occurred at the Pinova plant, was initially contained but reignited in the afternoon, sending a large plume of smoke over the city. As of April 16, 2023, the evacuation and shelter-in-place orders have been lifted, and the fire has been extinguished.

Evacuation orders lifted after the Pinova fire was extinguished

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, a fire broke out at the Pinova plant in Brunswick, Georgia, prompting evacuations and shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents. The Pinova plant manufactures specialty rosin and polyterpene resins, and the fire resulted in a significant disruption to the community.

The timeline of the incident began at 7 a.m. on Saturday when the original fire was reported and quickly contained by 9:45 a.m., with crews remaining on the scene to monitor the situation. However, around 3 p.m. the same day, the fire reignited and grew in size, leading to the issuance of shelter-in-place orders.

The fire sent a plume of heavy, black smoke over Riverside, and nearby roads were temporarily closed to make way for a Georgia Forestry plane to drop retardant over the fire. The fire-fighting efforts involved the Brunswick Fire Department, Glynn County Fire, and the Jacksonville Fire Department, who worked tirelessly to combat the blaze.

By 8:30 p.m., officials announced that the fire was once again contained, and at around 10 p.m., the blaze was finally extinguished. This led to the lifting of all evacuation and shelter-in-place orders, providing much-needed relief to the affected residents.

The cause of the fire at the Pinova plant remained unknown as of Saturday night, and investigations were ongoing to determine the origin of the fire. The incident highlighted the swift response of emergency services and the importance of community preparedness in the face of unexpected disasters.

Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders were imposed due to a fire at a resin and rosin manufacturer

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, a fire broke out at the Pinova plant in Brunswick, Georgia, a resin and rosin manufacturer. The initial fire was reported at 7 a.m. and was contained by 9:55 a.m. However, the fire reignited around 3:10 p.m., sending a massive plume of smoke over the coastal region.

Due to the fire, evacuation and shelter-in-place orders were imposed. Mayor Cosby Johnson declared a local state of emergency and ordered a shelter-in-place for the city. The Glynn County Board of Commissioners directed people within a half-mile radius of the Pinova plant to evacuate, later extending the order to a one-mile radius. Glynn County police shut off part of L Street and the access roads into neighbourhoods where the shelter-in-place advisory was active.

The Red Cross set up a shelter at Howard Coffin Park for those who needed a place to stay. The fire was contained by 8:30 p.m., and residents were allowed to return to their homes by 10:08 p.m. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Glynn County officials announced a shelter-in-place advisory for St. Simons Island

The fire, which broke out at the Pinova resin manufacturing plant on Saturday morning, was initially extinguished by firefighters. However, it reignited in the afternoon, growing in size and prompting the shelter-in-place advisory. The plant manufactures plastic resin, and the fire may have involved the burning of terpene resins used in adhesives, glues, and some food products.

During the incident, Glynn County officials requested that residents within a half-mile radius of the plant and those on St. Simons Island north of the airport remain indoors. The Environmental Protection Agency, state fire marshal, and emergency management director were on the scene to assess the situation. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and a full report is expected to be released.

It is important for residents to heed the shelter-in-place advisory and stay informed through official channels, such as local radio, TV stations, or the Glynn County website, for updates and instructions. These sources will provide the most accurate and up-to-date information specific to the incident.

In the event of an evacuation order, residents should take it seriously and act immediately. Having an emergency plan and supply kit prepared beforehand is crucial for a swift and safe response.

Governor Kemp ordered a mandatory evacuation of areas in Glynn, Camden, and McIntosh counties

On September 2, 2019, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered a mandatory evacuation of areas in Glynn County, Georgia, as well as parts of Camden and McIntosh counties, along with Bryan, Chatham, and Liberty counties. The evacuation order was issued ahead of Hurricane Dorian, which was approaching the U.S. Southeast coast at the time.

The evacuation was to start at noon on Monday, September 2, and it applied to individuals located east of Interstate 95 (I-95) in the affected counties. Governor Kemp stated that due to the possibility of downed trees, power lines, debris, and flooding, residents could become isolated from essential services, especially those on the barrier islands.

To facilitate the evacuation, contraflow measures were implemented on I-16 starting at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, allowing all four lanes of the interstate to carry traffic westward toward Macon. The governor emphasized the need for a well-coordinated process to avoid gridlock and ensure the smooth flow of evacuees and necessary supplies.

The mandatory evacuation order was the first issued in Georgia since Hurricane Irma in 2017, and it affected approximately 540,000 people living along the state's 100-mile Atlantic coastline.

Evacuation was necessary due to a fire at a Brunswick chemical plant

On Monday, November 7, 2022, a fire broke out at the Symrise chemical plant in Brunswick, Georgia, leading to a necessary evacuation of the area. The fire ignited an explosion, and the main chemical involved, hydrogen peroxide pinene, is commonly used in fragrances. The Symrise plant manufactures fragrance ingredients and produces over 34,000 products, including perfumes, beverages, and nutritional items, which it supplies to more than 150 countries.

The fire occurred around 4 a.m. during a shift change, with only six to eight employees present, all of whom were accounted for. The plant was evacuated, and a one-mile radius surrounding it, including the neighbourhoods of Hickory Bluff, Royal Oaks, and Satilla Shores, was also evacuated as a precaution. The Dover Bluff area of Camden County and the south side of the Port of Brunswick were also evacuated.

Two schools within 2.3 miles of the plant were placed under shelter-in-place orders, and a temporary shelter was set up at Ballard Gym in Brunswick for those in the evacuation zone. The Kingsland Recreation Center, located behind Camden County High School, also opened its doors as a shelter.

Fire crews from multiple counties, as well as Hazmat teams from Jacksonville and Savannah, responded to the incident. They used about 1.3 million gallons of water to fight the fire, but it was not enough, and additional explosions occurred. The fire was eventually contained and expected to burn out.

The evacuation orders for Satilla Shores and Royal Oak were lifted shortly after 10 p.m., and residents were allowed to return to their homes. The temporary shelter at Ballard Gym was closed as the threat level had expired.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. While no civilians were injured, one firefighter was hospitalised for exhaustion and was reported to be in stable condition.

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