Flooded chemical plant near Houston now has "black plume of smoke."

[KY_EnviroGuy]

75. Professor....

No one here can answer your fundamental question. With your experience and expertise, I'm sure you know this case will require many months - if not years - of forensics and litigation with busloads of lawyers, engineers, regulators, incident specialists and chemists all over it on both sides.

We simply cannot say much of anything with any certainty without knowing all the on-site conditions, inventories and operator actions before flooding started. Additionally, all the federal/state/local rules and regulations that apply at the time will have to be determined, as well as company policy and procedures, and insurance company requirements. Even all the bubba agreements will come to light, LOL.

Clearly, they had time to prepare (as best they could) as Harvey did the two-step around Texas. And, we may not necessarily have the expertise to say much anyhow, so we're all speculating remotely as a matter of interest and curiosity.

How long did it take to resolve the Texas City refinery explosion, from time of incident 'till all claims were settled? (BTW, I've worked in that plant when it was Amoco)