HUBBARD Acid cloud closes I-80

Residents of Wansack and Habarka roads were told to evacuate.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa.-- Hydrochloric acid leaking from a tank on an overturned truck caused an acid cloud that prompted authorities to close Interstate 80 between Hubbard and West Middlesex early today.
Police were notified of the overturned truck in the grass between the east and west lanes at 6:40 a.m.
The first Shenango Township officers on the scene reported an acid cloud rising from the wreck.
Early reports indicated at least two truck drivers and one Shenango Township police officer were affected by the cloud and were given first aid at the scene by an ambulance crew. The police officer was later taken to UPMC Horizon hospital in Farrell.
Authorities said the truck was carrying a tank containing 250 gallons of hydrochloric acid.
Road closed
Police ordered I-80 closed between Hubbard and West Middlesex at 6:55 a.m. but said many motorists were caught between those exits and the crash scene before the entrance ramps could be closed.
The stopped traffic made it difficult for emergency crews to reach the accident.
The I-80 east entrance ramp in Hubbard Township was closed.
Along with Shenango Township firefighters, Hubbard and West Middlesex fire crews and the Trumbull County Hazmat Team were called.
Evacuation
About an hour into the episode, authorities contacted residents of Wansack Road just north of I-80 near the accident scene about evacuating their homes. A breeze out of the southeast was moving the cloud toward the area.
Five minutes later, authorities extended the evacuation order to include a portion of Habarka Road in that area. The road is south of and parallel to I-80.
There was no immediate evacuation in Hubbard because of the wind direction, officials said.
Firefighters reported the tank had completely drained, but the acid was running down a ditch in the highway median toward a waterway.
Authorities said it was not expected to reach the Shenango River.
At 7:45 a.m., authorities ordered the evacuation of the Pennsylvania Welcome Center on the south side of I-80 near the accident scene. Ohio authorities began redirecting some eastbound traffic to state Route 304, which becomes Pa. Route 318, as an alternative route to reach I-80 at West Middlesex.
XCONTRIBUTOR: Tim Yovich, Vindicator Trumbull Staff.