Louisiana State Police say this photo shows hundreds of thousands of pounds of improperly stored explosive materials on properly leased by Explo Systems, Inc. at Camp Minden (Source: Louisiana State Police)DOYLINE, LA (KSLA) -
Doyline residents are preparing to evacuate Friday while millions of pounds of M6 propellant are removed from Camp Minden over the weekend.
Officials warned residents of the City of Doyline to take seriously an evacuation notice Thursday night at a town hall meeting at Doyline High School.
The meeting, led by Webster Sheriff Gary Sexton, urged about 1,000 residents to evacuate the city starting Friday night through the weekend.
The evacuation notice comes just days after Louisiana State Police found a million pounds of improperly stored M6 propellant powder on the property leased by Explo Systems, Inc., located at Camp Minden.
"Ya'll are the closest thing to this unsecure product, that is why we are advising ya'll and you need to leave," says Webster Parish Gary Sexton.
Hazmat crews will work over the weekend to secure the hazardous product in bunkers located on the property at Camp Minden.
If residents choose not to evacuate, they will be allowed back and forth across city lines but will be asked to show I.D. at check points. Also, all residents will be asked not to drive or walk within the city limits after dark.
Officials say at this point there is not a way for residents to be reimbursed for any expenses related to the evacuation unless they choose to take legal action against Explo Systems, Inc.
"There's a million pounds of stuff right here," says long time Doyline resident Roger Walker. "If it went off now it would get us all right…would you want to stay here tonight?"
KSLA News 12 tried numerous times to get in touch with Explo Systems, Inc. but we could not reach an official spokesperson.
A shelter will be set up at the Billy Pomeroy Caney Conference Center of the United Methodist Church located on Methodist Camp Rd. If you need more information you can contact the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office at 318-377-1515.
Road closures:
According to the LA DOTD:
LA 164 will be closed from its junction with LA 614 on the west end to Amos Cutoff Road on the east end. Amos Cutoff Road is located one mile east of the LA 163/LA 164 intersection in Doyline.
LA 163 will be closed from Boothville Road on the south end to its junction with LA 164 in Doyline.
Detour via LA 3227 to LA 157 to Interstate 20 to US 371.
Once they leave, residents will not be allowed back in until the project is completed.
Copyright 2012 KSLA. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WFXG, a Raycom Media Station.
