A dangerous chemical leak in Whitewater Township prompted a half-mile evacuation order for people in the area, according to Hamilton County emergency management and fire officials.The incident is happening on US 50, between State Route 128 and Valley Junction Road, not far from the Great Miami River.Below is everything you need to know about what happened and what emergency officials are saying.WHAT HAPPENEDHamilton County EMA states that per Whitewater Fire officials, a "dangerous chemical leak" occurred near State Route 128 and U.S. 50 around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.EMA officials say the leak was not from a train derailment but a train car that has a valve open, releasing styrene gas.At this time, Mike Siefke, Chief of the Little Miami Joint Fire & Rescue District, said there have been no reports of any injuries from the chemical leak. In an update late Tuesday night, officials said the car that was leaking has been separated from the other cars on the train as crews continue to work to keep the train cool. The train was not currently leaking at 11 p.m.On Tuesday night, officials said there is not a threat for an explosion.In an update late Tuesday night, officials said the car that was leaking has been separated from the other cars on the train as crews continue to work to keep the train cool. The train was not currently leaking at 11 p.m., with first responders now evaluating the scene.Officials said Tuesday night that crews are continuing to set up air monitoring services that will alert officials how the air quality is.The United States Environmental Protection Agency has also been called in to help with the process, Siefke said.Central Road of Indiana released a statement regarding the incident, saying "At approximately 1 p.m. this afternoon, Central Railroad of Indiana (CIND) was notified of a railcar in the vicinity of Cleves, Ohio, venting styrene. The local fire department is onsite, and environmental response agencies have been mobilized. We are fully cooperating with first responders, who will determine any evacuation orders. We ask all those in the area to follow first responder orders and to stay clear of the scene so that we can contain the incident as safely, quickly and effectively as possible. We will provide periodic updates as we learn more."ROADS CLOSEDCounty officials are telling people to leave the area immediately if they are within a half mile radius of the railyard by U.S. 50 and State Route 128, and Valley Junction Road, near the Kroger at 4001 Hamilton Cleves Road.A shelter in place order has been issued for 3/4 of a mile from the site of the leak, according Little Miami Fire & Rescue chief Mike Siefke. All surrounding roads are shut down, including U.S. 50. All stores in the area have been closed, including Kroger.The following streets are closed:US-50 closed from Lawrenceburg Road in Whitewater to State Street in ClevesOH 128 closed at Cilley RoadKilby Road closed at suspension bridgeCooper Avenue closed at US 50 in ClevesOfficials said residents should not call 911 unless there is an active emergency. The Whitewater Township community center on Dry Fork Road is open for people who need shelter.WHAT IS STYRENE GASAccording to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Styrene is a colorless, flammable liquid, which has a sweet odor and is highly volatile.It is possible to become exposed to styrene through breathing air that has styrene vapors.The chemical is frequently used to make plastics and rubber. It is not known how much of the chemical is leaking from the train car.Anyone who comes into contact with styrene should immediately wash their skin with soap and water and remove and wash clothing that they were wearing.People should also flush their eyes with water for approximately 15 minutes and remove contact lenses. If styrene is inhaled, seek medical attention immediately and rinse mouth thoroughly. NEARBY SCHOOL EVACUATED Three Rivers School District, which is nearby, was evacuated Tuesday afternoon due to the chemical leak. In an update late Tuesday, the school district said classes will be canceled Wednesday due to ongoing concerns from the leak. A decision on Wednesday's after-school activities will be made by 1 p.m. Wednesday.HAS THIS HAPPENED BEFORE?In 2005, emergency officials responded to a styrene release from a rail car near Lunken Airport on the east side of Cincinnati.During the response, the Cincinnati Fire Department attempted to apply water to the rail car in an attempt to cool it down. A 1-mile radius evacuation was in place for several days as crews worked to stop the leak.REACTIONOhio Sen. Sherrod Brown released a statement on the chemical leak on Tuesday night, saying he is continuing to keep an eye on the situation."I am monitoring the situation involving the train car chemical leak in Whitewater Township and urge residents to follow the guidance provided by the Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency. I thank the local emergency responders for their quick action," the statement read.Ohio Sen. JD Vance also released a statement on the chemical leak in Whitewater Township, saying "My team and I are closely tracking a potentially hazardous chemical leak coming from a railcar near Cleves, Ohio."Vance went on to say that local authorities are working hard to keep the community safe.

A dangerous chemical leak in Whitewater Township prompted a half-mile evacuation order for people in the area, according to Hamilton County emergency management and fire officials.

The incident is happening on US 50, between State Route 128 and Valley Junction Road, not far from the Great Miami River.

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Below is everything you need to know about what happened and what emergency officials are saying.

WHAT HAPPENED

Hamilton County EMA states that per Whitewater Fire officials, a "dangerous chemical leak" occurred near State Route 128 and U.S. 50 around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

EMA officials say the leak was not from a train derailment but a train car that has a valve open, releasing styrene gas.

At this time, Mike Siefke, Chief of the Little Miami Joint Fire & Rescue District, said there have been no reports of any injuries from the chemical leak.

In an update late Tuesday night, officials said the car that was leaking has been separated from the other cars on the train as crews continue to work to keep the train cool. The train was not currently leaking at 11 p.m.

On Tuesday night, officials said there is not a threat for an explosion.

In an update late Tuesday night, officials said the car that was leaking has been separated from the other cars on the train as crews continue to work to keep the train cool. The train was not currently leaking at 11 p.m., with first responders now evaluating the scene.

Officials said Tuesday night that crews are continuing to set up air monitoring services that will alert officials how the air quality is.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has also been called in to help with the process, Siefke said.

Central Road of Indiana released a statement regarding the incident, saying "At approximately 1 p.m. this afternoon, Central Railroad of Indiana (CIND) was notified of a railcar in the vicinity of Cleves, Ohio, venting styrene. The local fire department is onsite, and environmental response agencies have been mobilized. We are fully cooperating with first responders, who will determine any evacuation orders. We ask all those in the area to follow first responder orders and to stay clear of the scene so that we can contain the incident as safely, quickly and effectively as possible. We will provide periodic updates as we learn more."

ROADS CLOSED

County officials are telling people to leave the area immediately if they are within a half mile radius of the railyard by U.S. 50 and State Route 128, and Valley Junction Road, near the Kroger at 4001 Hamilton Cleves Road.

A shelter in place order has been issued for 3/4 of a mile from the site of the leak, according Little Miami Fire & Rescue chief Mike Siefke.

All surrounding roads are shut down, including U.S. 50. All stores in the area have been closed, including Kroger.

The following streets are closed:

US-50 closed from Lawrenceburg Road in Whitewater to State Street in Cleves

OH 128 closed at Cilley Road

Kilby Road closed at suspension bridge

Cooper Avenue closed at US 50 in Cleves

Hamilton County EMA

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Officials said residents should not call 911 unless there is an active emergency.

The Whitewater Township community center on Dry Fork Road is open for people who need shelter.

WHAT IS STYRENE GAS

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Styrene is a colorless, flammable liquid, which has a sweet odor and is highly volatile.

It is possible to become exposed to styrene through breathing air that has styrene vapors.

The chemical is frequently used to make plastics and rubber. It is not known how much of the chemical is leaking from the train car.

Anyone who comes into contact with styrene should immediately wash their skin with soap and water and remove and wash clothing that they were wearing.

This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

People should also flush their eyes with water for approximately 15 minutes and remove contact lenses. If styrene is inhaled, seek medical attention immediately and rinse mouth thoroughly.

NEARBY SCHOOL EVACUATED

Three Rivers School District, which is nearby, was evacuated Tuesday afternoon due to the chemical leak.

In an update late Tuesday, the school district said classes will be canceled Wednesday due to ongoing concerns from the leak. A decision on Wednesday's after-school activities will be made by 1 p.m. Wednesday.

HAS THIS HAPPENED BEFORE?

In 2005, emergency officials responded to a styrene release from a rail car near Lunken Airport on the east side of Cincinnati.

During the response, the Cincinnati Fire Department attempted to apply water to the rail car in an attempt to cool it down. A 1-mile radius evacuation was in place for several days as crews worked to stop the leak.

REACTION

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown released a statement on the chemical leak on Tuesday night, saying he is continuing to keep an eye on the situation.

"I am monitoring the situation involving the train car chemical leak in Whitewater Township and urge residents to follow the guidance provided by the Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency. I thank the local emergency responders for their quick action," the statement read.

Ohio Sen. JD Vance also released a statement on the chemical leak in Whitewater Township, saying "My team and I are closely tracking a potentially hazardous chemical leak coming from a railcar near Cleves, Ohio."

Vance went on to say that local authorities are working hard to keep the community safe.