***Port of Morehead City, NC evacuated***

[dgibby]

Breaking news on CNN: Nine containers of highly explosive materials punctured. Port evacuated. Authorities recommending that downtown be evacuated,as well. Contents of containers not disclosed.

[ensho]

1. wow - thanks for info

nt

[shadowknows69]

2. WTF punctured by who and whose were they?

[dgibby]

4. That's all the info CNN reported.

It just broke. They're trying to get an update. The authorities wouldn't divulge the type of material. They are telling people to stay away from their windows, and are recommending evac of downtown, but haven't ordered it yet.

[formercia]

13. There's a maritime facility in the area that handles munitions.

I've been inside of it and it's an impressive operation.

[dgibby]

16. And that port is next to downtown.

A large explosion would devastate that entire area.

[formercia]

18. There wouldn't be a 'large explosion.'

There might be a localized incident that would break some windows.

[CBR]

3. What is happening? Any more details... nt

[dgibby]

5. Update:

Police say it was an accident, but are still not disclosing what is in the containers. Still recommending evac of downtown, telling everyone to stay away from doors and windows. Traffic not allowed around Port area.

[Strelnikov_]

6. LNG?

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=Moorhead+City,&fb=1&gl=us&ei=-qBMS9OjOIjYNaXAyPIM&ved=0CB0QtgMwAA&radius=0.49&sll=34.719869,-76.699913&sspn=0.012805,0.017381&rq=1&ev=zo&hq=Moorhead+City,&hnear=&ll=34.719869,-76.699913&spn=0.012805,0.017381&t=h&z=16

[shadowknows69]

7. Update confirming the explosive is PETN Same stuff as undie bomber.

[dgibby]

8. Explosive material is PETN!

Same stuff underwear bomber was using, according to CNN affilates in Raleigh and New Bern.

[AlinPA]

11. So Fox "News" will soon be screaming "terra, terra!"

[dgibby]

12. Darth Cheney is probably in the makeup room as I type! n/t

[arcadian]

14. No, this story will be forgotten

It's probably a military or defense contractor's container and they won't want to highlight that such things are moved around the country via the civilian infrastructure.

[dgibby]

17. I grew up in a railroad town.

My BIL worked for CSX all his life. If people knew what was on those trains, they'd go ballistic.

[brendan120678]

19. How else would you expect a Defense Contractor...

to ship materials to their end-use customer?

There are DOT, BATF and DOD rules & regs governing how they can be shipped (speaking about explosives in particular), but typically it is via commercial means.

[ghurley]

9. A forklift blade poked a hole in a 25- to 30-gallon container...

http://www.enctoday.com/articles/city-57144-nbsj-morehead-problems.html">story

http://www.enctoday.com/articles/city-57144-nbsj-morehead-problems.html

[dgibby]

10. Thanks.

Good to know the Marines are there. I was stationed at Cherry Point Navy Hospital. Loved it there.

[ensho]

15. our military uses this stuff? our military is the owner of these barrels?

nt

[dgibby]

21. They haven't said anything about who owns the stuff,

but I'd hate to think it WASN'T the military's. My best guess would be that it is military, especially since that Port serves both Camp Lejune and Cherry Point MC Air Station, and probably other military bases in NC.

[FarCenter]

24. PETN is also used commercially

In sheet form it can be used for explosively forming metals and for welding metals.

It is also used as a heart drug, similar to nitroglycerin.

[Goldstein1984]

20. Military uses of PETN @

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/explosives-nitrate-petn.htm

[dgibby]

22. Update:

Spill is contained on land, nothing in the water, according to Mayor Jerry Jones. Voluntary evac of downtown is in progress. Emergency management authorities state that explosives are contained, access to Port is blocked for 1/2mi. Mayor states that Port handles many different types of volatile materials, jet fuel, etc.

[formercia]

23. Flying glass, the greatest danger

so, it's a good idea to move people away.

[NoodleyAppendage]

25. What the hell is "liquid ammunition?" Nitro? n/t

J