Texas City, Texas - A shelter-in-place advisory was lifted on Sunday afternoon after a chemical release occurred at Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery. The incident, which resulted in the release of sulfur dioxide, prompted the closure of multiple roads and precautionary measures for neighboring facilities.

According to Joe Tumbleson, the Texas City Emergency Manager, the release of sulfur dioxide took place at approximately 8:45 a.m. This incident was attributed to operational issues within one of the refinery's units. As a precautionary measure, a shelter-in-place advisory was issued for nearby facilities at 9 a.m., and multiple roads were closed.

The City of Texas City swiftly alerted residents about the situation via social media at 9:13 a.m. on Sunday. The advisory was eventually lifted by the city around noon, indicating that the situation was under control.

Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery addressed the incident in a statement to ABC13, confirming that their personnel successfully resolved the operational issues leading to the temporary increase in sulfur dioxide emissions. The statement also assured that emissions had returned to normal levels and that no injuries were reported.

The affected roads and areas have since been reopened, restoring normalcy to the vicinity surrounding the refinery.

As a precautionary measure, residents are encouraged to sign up for Texas City's Emergency Alert Program to receive timely updates about emergencies and other important community news.

During a shelter-in-place advisory, residents are advised to promptly seal all windows and doors shut, and then await further instructions and updates from emergency authorities.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine the cause of the operational issues that resulted in the chemical release. Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery will be working to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure the safety of the surrounding community.

The prompt response and coordination by the City of Texas City, Marathon Galveston Bay Refinery, and emergency officials demonstrate their commitment to the safety and well-being of the residents and neighboring facilities during such incidents.