Emergency in Oklahoma: Dozens Sickened, Hundreds Evacuated After Ammonia Tanker Leak

WEATHERFORD, Oklahoma – November 14, 2025 – A leaking tanker truck carrying hazardous anhydrous ammonia gas in a small Oklahoma city forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents and sickened several dozen people overnight.

The incident occurred late Wednesday night in Weatherford, a city of about 12,000 people west of Oklahoma City, after a tanker truck parked behind a Holiday Inn Express began spewing a plume of the dangerous chemical.

Immediate Impact and Response

The leak, reportedly caused by a mechanical failure on a valve or a faulty seal on a tanker carrying 25,000 pounds of ammonia, quickly spread fumes through the hotel hallways and the surrounding residential area. The odour, described by one witness as an intense “punch,” caused immediate respiratory distress among those in the vicinity.

First responders, wearing gas masks, went door-to-door in the early hours of Thursday morning, waking up residents and issuing urgent evacuation orders.

• Hospitalisations: Authorities confirmed that at least 34 to 36 people were treated at a local hospital, with 10 to 11 patients requiring transfer to hospitals in the Oklahoma City area. Several victims were reported to be in intensive care, though the majority are in stable condition.
• First Responders Affected: Five responding police officers were reported to have sustained chemical burns to their airways.
• Evacuations: Approximately 500 to 600 people were forced to evacuate to a shelter, including residents from several nursing homes. A shelter-in-place order was also issued for other nearby residents for several hours before being lifted later on Thursday morning.
• Disruptions: Schools in the area were closed for the day, and businesses were advised to remain closed as a precaution.

Containment and Clean-up

Police Chief Angelo Orefice stated that the leak has been stopped, and emergency crews, including hazmat teams and the Oklahoma National Guard, have been working to dilute the remaining gas and monitor the air quality. Subsequent air monitoring reportedly found no ammonia in the local residential area. However, the cleanup process is expected to take several days.

Anhydrous ammonia is a colourless, pungent, and highly dangerous chemical primarily used as a farm fertilizer. High concentrations can be deadly or cause severe burns to the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with transporting industrial chemicals, following similar incidents in other US states in recent years.