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Rockdale County Provides Critical Update on Ongoing Biolab Incident

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

October 1, 2024

Rockdale County Provides Critical Update on Ongoing Biolab Incident

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County held a press conference today to provide updates on the ongoing Biolab incident. Rockdale County Chairman Oz Nesbitt Sr., Conyers Mayor Vince Evans, along with representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), Lynn Paxton, the Interim Director for Gwinnett, Newton, and Rockdale Health District, and key County Leadership, including the Rockdale EMA Director and Fire Chief, addressed the public. They reassured the community that efforts were underway to manage the emergency swiftly and safely.

At 3:30 a.m., on Oct. 1, 2024, a notification came in from operations at Biolab that a plume was hovering over the county because of over-gassing of the product. The plume has been moving across the county, influenced by the weather. The EPA has been actively monitoring air quality. Residents are urged to shelter in place if the plume or smell of chlorine is over their area until the cloud has passed. This is especially critical for individuals with respiratory conditions. It is essential to stay aware of the wind shifts. Due to inversion, the plume is more prone to shift during the evening, and it is recommended to stay inside during evening hours if possible and keep emergency alert notifications on your phone active.

Biolab leadership is collaborating with Rockdale County Fire Services are working to neutralize and contain the chemical plume as efficiently as possible. The process involves controlled efforts to minimize the plume’s impact. The EPA and other officials have been fully briefed on the strategy. Health officials confirmed that air quality levels remain below harmful thresholds for the general public.

The EPA is monitoring air quality in real-time, and residents can access updates through the EPA website at epa.gov/current-events.

Water Safety:
Rockdale County’s drinking water remains safe. Water samples are being tested three times daily, and all results have returned safe levels. Streams downstream from the Biolab facility do not feed into the Hanes Watershed, a source of the county’s drinking water.

Health Recommendations:
Air conditions will fluctuate throughout the day and evening. Being outdoors during daylight hours is generally safe, but those with pre-existing respiratory conditions should remain indoors.

If you need to conduct essential business or gather supplies, do so during the day and remain vigilant about wind shifts. Due to evening atmospheric inversion, the plume is more likely to shift during nighttime hours. It is recommended that residents stay indoors after sundown and ensure emergency notifications are active on mobile devices.

Facility Closures: In the interest of public safety, Rockdale County Government offices, including the Courthouse and annexes, will be closed for the remainder of the week.

Important Contact Information and Information Resources:

For non-emergency inquiries, please call the Rockdale EMA hotline: 770-278-8300
For non-emergency poison-related concerns, Georgia Poison Control has set up a special hotline: 404-856-6252.
Air Quality Monitoring, visit epa.gov/currentevents
GRN website for ongoing recommendations and updates: https://www.gnrhealth.com/biolab-chemical-fire-information/https://dph.georgia.gov/smoke-biolab-chemical-fire
Rockdale County Website, www.rockdalecountyga.gov
Rockdale County Facebook, www.facebook.com/RockdaleGov

We appreciate the community’s continued cooperation and patience.

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Rockdale County Lifts Shelter in Place

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2024

ROCKDALE COUNTY LIFTS SHELTER IN PLACE

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is lifting the Shelter in Place recommendation and the evacuation zone for Rockdale County effective immediately. The latest readings from monitoring the last 24 hours via EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) with results showing Rockdale County with an average level of all readings at .09 well below the action level (.5) as of the last reading (September 30 at 4:59 pm).

Rockdale County Water Resources has tested the water, and it is deemed safe. The EPA will continue to monitor the air quality readings. Citizens can expect to continue to see clouds until its fully dissipated.

The Courthouse and all County Facilities, except Johnson Park, will reopen on Tuesday (October 1, 2024). Businesses in Rockdale County can proceed as normal.

Please continue to monitor Rockdale County’s social media and website (www.rockdalecountyga.gov) for all updates, as this information is fluid.

For non-emergency situations, citizens can call the EMA Hotline at 770-278-8300. EMA will continue to monitor the incident and provide updates.

We appreciate the public’s patience during this incident.

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Rockdale County Remains Closed with Shelter in Place Continuing

ALERT (9/30/2024 6:58 AM): The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) reopened I-20 in both directions.

ROCKDALE COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

September 30, 2024

ROCKDALE COUNTY REMAINS CLOSED WITH SHELTER IN PLACE CONTINUING

ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga. – Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), based on information received from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), strongly advises all Rockdale County residents to continue to shelter in place. Additionally, in the best interest and safety of the public and all citizens, it is recommended that businesses close operations until shelter-in-place is lifted.

This information is based on air quality surveys conducted by EPA and EPD, which revealed the harmful irritant chlorine, which was detected in the air emitting from the incident location of Bio Lab. For everyone sheltering in place, the best practice is to turn the air conditioning off and keep windows and doors shut.

On the Georgia Department of Transportation recommendation, Interstate 20 will remain closed eastbound and westbound from Turner Hill Rd to Almon Rd. The need to keep Interstate 20 closed is based on unpredictable path and wind direction, which could change the direction of the irritants in the air.

Please continue to monitor Rockdale County’s social media and website (www.rockdalecountyga.gov) for all updates, as this information is fluid.

The public is asked to please NOT CALL 911 FOR NON-EMERGENCY situations. We are experiencing an overload of calls and need to keep lines open for critical emergencies only. For non-emergency situations, citizens can call the EMA Hotline at 770-278-8300 or the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 770-278-8200.

We appreciate the public’s patience during this incident.

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UPDATES ON BIO FIRE (9/29/24- 10/9/2024)

Public Awareness Update: October 9, 2024

As part of ongoing BioLab cleanup efforts, operations will continue in a controlled and planned manner. This process will generate visible plumes, which are expected and closely monitored. Please note this is not a fire but part of a scheduled chemical product cleanup. While the additional plume in the area may be noticeable, there is no cause for alarm. We encourage the public to stay informed by following updates, but please only contact 911 in the event of an actual emergency.

UPDATE( 10/8/2024) Biolab Resource Information: 678-301-2359

www.biolabcommunityresources.com Debris pickup? Requests can be submitted to DebrisPickup@biolabinc.com.

Update: (10/7/2024): Rockdale County Lifts Shelter in Place Except for the 2-Mile Radius Around Biolab.

View the full press release at https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/rockdale-county-lifts…/

UPDATE: (10/5/2024) Biolab has launched a community website to provide community information and resources, including information on debris pickup. https://biolabcommunityresources.com/

Update (10/4/2024): Update from Deputy Chief Robinson of Rockdale Fire https://vimeo.com/rockdalegov/biolabupdate?share=copy

Update (10/3/2024): Frequently Asked Questions https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/faq-biolab/

(10/2/2024) Please see the recent press release from Georgia Emergency Management: https://gema.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-10-02/state-and-federal-agencies-continue-monitoring-rockdale-county-biolab

ALERT (10/1/2024 4:28 pm): During certain times, due to weather and inversion in the evening, air quality readings may dip to concerning levels for those in direct exposure to the plume. With citizen safety in mind, Rockdale EMA (Emergency Management Agency) is recommending Rockdale County Shelter in Place from 7 pm to 7 am beginning tonight until Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. In the event conditions change, the recommendation will be revised.

For air quality data, please utilize the EPA website: www.epa.gov/ga/conyers-ga-biolab-fire.

Shelter in Place procedure: close doors and windows and turn off HVAC systems if they draw air from outside.

NEW PRESS RELEASE AVAILABLE: https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/rockdale-county-provides-critical-update-on-ongoing-biolab-incident/

UPDATE: ALL COUNTY Offices are closed today, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.

ALERT 10/1/2024 (6:35 a.m.): We are aware and are assessing the situation. The plume has consistently shifted throughout the night. We ask that you shelter in place if the plume moves over your vicinity or if there is a strong odor of chlorine. If you have respiratory issues, we encourage you to shelter in place. We will provide an update as quickly as possible.

ALERT 10/1/2024 (3:49 a.m.): The Biolab operations have continued through the night. Due to the weather, the plume is banking down and moving throughout the county. If the cloud moves over your vicinity, please shelter in place until the cloud moves out.

We understand the importance of providing timely information, and we want to assure you that we are committed to releasing only the most accurate and verified details. To ensure this, we have been waiting on critical updates from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We appreciate your patience and will share further information later this afternoon. Please stay tuned for updates.

UPDATE from Rockdale County Fire Chief at Biolab view video: https://youtu.be/yPMFqOCTmLE

Roads that are still closed as of 8:25 am, 9/30/2024

Lester/Sigman

Farmer/Sigman

Irwin/ Main St

General Arts / Signman

Dogwood / W. Ave

Green / W. Circle

Old Covington / Sigman

Sigman / Rockbridge

Dogwood Circle / Motel 6

(9/30/2024 6:58 AM): The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) reopened I-20 in both directions.

9/30/2024 3:22 AM : Shelter in place continues. Press release issued. View it at https://www.rockdalecountyga.gov/rockdale-county-remains-closed-with-shelter-in-place-continuing/

(7:45 PM):

ALERT: 7:45 PM: SHELTER IN PLACE FOR ALL ROCKDALE COUNTY until MIDNIGHT.

(6:00 PM) : Evacuation zone includes Signman to Lakeview off Farmer Rd., Irwin Bridge to GA 20, and GA 20 back to Sigman Rd.

I-20 is still shut down from Turner Hill to Salem Rd. exits. Those on the north side of Rockdale County and not in the evacuation area should shelter in place.

(5:00 PM) :All southbound traffic on Hi-Roc Rd between Irwin bridge and Hwy 138 is shutdown.

All traffic from Hwy 138 to I20 from Turnerhill Rd to Salem Rd is shutdown.

Please follow deputies’ directions for alternate routes.

(3:45 PM): Additional Evacuation Site: General Ray Davis Middle School, 3375 E Fairview Rd SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281

(3:10 PM) NEW EVACUATION SITE: SCOUT CAMP: 218 Scout Road. Covington, GA 30016

EVACUATION ALERT ( 1:10 PM): Please evacuate the area if you are inside this zone. I-20 will be blocked off in both directions between Salem Rd and Turner Hill. Call EMA hotline if you need assistance 770-278-8300.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Questions can be directed to the Rockdale County Emergency Management Agency hotline at 770-278-8300
Anyone between Sigman and I 20 need to evacuate.
Anyone North of Sigman should shelter in place and keep windows closed.

As of 11 am the following roads are closed: