ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — Ector County issued a disaster declaration for the Permian Basin Containers fire site after recent rainfall.
Following the rain events West Texas experienced the week of Sept. 2, it led to flooding at the site that is affecting neighbors air and water quality.
"They should not be going through this," Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett said in a press conference when asked about what would he say to nearby residents of the site.
Judge Fawcett said the county has worked with the state including State Representative Brooks Landgraf, the Texas Department of Emergency Management, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, plus the neighbors who are affected by the recent flood and fire.
"After discussion with our state partners including State Representative Landgraf, Texas Department of Emergency Management, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as well as with constituents who live in the area most affected by the recent fire and floods, we are all in agreement that state assistance is needed to ensure Ector County residents' property and health are both protected moving forward," said Judge Fawcett.
Sept. 9 marks 48 days since the large fire at the chemical storage facility first broke out.
During the press conference, Judge Fawcett stated the declaration of disaster for the area was due to the recent flooding.
"This is the first time that we've heard about these health concerns to the elevated level that we're seeing," Judge Fawcett said. "And due to that flood, which was really a once in a generation flood, we don't know the damage it could have caused. We don't know all the different Petro chemicals that are at on site at location and how they interact with water and with the groundwater and with drinking water."
The scope of the damage is raising concerns over the quality of air people nearby are breathing and the quality of water. However, a full understanding of the damage remains unknown by the county. So far, some residents in 10 homes who live within a four-block radius have reached out to the county.
In order to learn how many people have been affected, where the damage is being experienced and the overall impact, Ector County is asking those affected to call 432-498-4013.
"We're looking for water well testing, we're looking for air testing," said Judge Fawcett in reference to what the funding aide would be used for. "We're looking for the Texas Commission of Emergency Quality to continue to help out in the remediation. Inside Texas Department of Emergency Emergency Management, we've been in contact with their team, their team here locally is incredible, but also at the state level, Chief Kidd is aware of of what's happening out here. We're just wanting to unlock whatever it may be. If we do have water concerns for the residents, then we need to begin a water trucking and water operations to provide drinking water for those folks."
Mica Hancock grew up in a home near the site of the chemical storage facility. She lived there before Permian Basin Containers moved in. According to Hancock, she and her family have been unhoused since the fire.
She and her family is currently living in a camper outside of one of her family's shops.
When asked what she notices when she first visits her former home, she responded, "The smell as soon as you step out of the car. It smells so bad that inside of the house since no one’s been there it comes up through the vents."
Hancock is living with asthma and every time she is in the area near PBC, she has even more difficulty breathing to the extent her doctors have given her more prescriptions.
"It's just sad thinking, 'Who knows when I get to go home.' My daughters, all our stuff's there. We're living out of our cars still, since that day 48 days ago," said Hancock.
The area is a site that had previous complaints from nearby neighbors for its alleged storage of hazardous materials. After the fire that happened in late July, it eventually led to a lawsuit filed by 20 neighbors and Allbright & Associates.
"Our response is that we're 100% behind it," said Adam Dinnell, a lawyer representing the 20 neighbors and business near PBC. "When we filed our lawsuit two weeks ago, we said right then and there that this is a crisis and that it's an emergency. So we're thankful that the county and hopefully soon the state will recognize the same what we've seen."
According to Dinnell, the floodwaters from Permian Basin Containers could be further carrying chemicals and other carcinogenic chemicals out into areas near the site.