07-09-2025 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Ramsey County | Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 68 • H.B. Fuller Plant Fire (2002). Occurring in June 2002 at the H.B. Fuller Company plant in Vadnais Heights. A fire broke out at the H.B. Fuller adhesive manufacturing plant, causing the release of hazardous fumes and chemicals. This led to the evacuation of employees and nearby residents due to the risk of toxic smoke inhalation, resulting in significant property damage and concerns about air quality. • Saint Paul Riverfront Chemical Leak. Occurring in May 2007 in the riverfront industrial area in Saint Paul. A leak of anhydrous ammonia occurred at an industrial facility near the Mississippi River. This release led to the evacuation of nearby residents and workers and raised concerns about industrial safety and environmental protection along the riverfront. • BNSF Railway Chemical Spill. Occurring in September 2010 at the BNSF Railway yard, Saint Paul. A derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials occurred at the BNSF Railway yard, causing a spill of chemicals, including sulfuric acid. This spill required the evacuation of the immediate area and the deployment of hazmat teams to contain and clean up the hazardous substances. The incident disrupted rail operations and posed a risk to public health and the environment, prompting concerns about potential groundwater contamination and air quality. • Energy Park Drive Industrial Fire. Occurring in July 2015, in the industrial area along Energy Park Drive, Saint Paul. A fire at an industrial facility led to the release of hazardous smoke and chemicals, prompting the evacuation of workers and nearby residents. The incident caused significant property damage and raised concerns about industrial safety and emergency preparedness. A search was run for incidents recorded by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Between 1980 and August 2024, the PHMSA database records 1,828 separate mobile hazardous materials incidents both large and small occurring in the county. Of these, 1,692 occurred on a highway, 95 occurred on rail lines, 39 occurred in the air, and one occurred on the water. 3.10.5 PROBABILITY Determining the exact probability of a hazardous materials incident is challenging due to the variability of factors involved. Smaller hazardous materials incidents are likely to occur frequently due to the large volume of hazardous materials in the county, but a widespread event is less likely to occur due to the controls and regulations in place at larger facilities. The following considerations may influence the likelihood of such incidents: • Presence of industrial facilities, including chemical plants and refineries • Major transportation routes, such as highways, railways, and waterways • Population density in urban areas It is safe to say that minor hazardous materials incidents are a relatively routine occurrence across the county. Large-scale hazardous materials incidents are much rarer.