NJ Chemplants to Watch for Danny

Tropical Storm Danny formed in the Atlantic Ocean this morning and it may have a serious impact on the extensive chemical facilities located along the New Jersey coast. As of 11:00 am EDT this morning the NOAA National Hurricane Center showed that the western edge of the 5-day Track Forecast Cone covered the State of New Jersey. According to the latest forecast Danny could be a Category 1 Hurricane by the time it reached the vicinity of the New Jersey coastline. Facilities on the Gulf Coast have become well practiced in the last couple of years in preparing their facilities for hurricane operations. One would assume that the same owners would be able to transfer that expertise to their New Jersey facilities. One thing of special concern to readers of this blog will be how to maintain adequate facility security in the lead up to and in the aftermath of a hurricane impact. Some Gulf Coast facilities have resorted to constructing hardened facilities for their security and critical control operations. It is a little too late to plan for that type response for this storm, but facilities should study their contingency plans to make sure that they have everything in readiness for Saturday’s storm.