Hughes Creek residents evacuated due to potential mine blowout

[greatlaurel]

http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20150313/GZ01/150319472/1419

"BELLE, W.Va. -- Residents in the Hughes Creek community in eastern Kanawha County were being asked to leave their homes late Friday night due to a potential mine blowout.

The state Department of Environmental Protection said in a statement that there were 150 homes affected by the “voluntary evacuation”; only a few homes were near the mine, according to DEP, but roads to the others could be covered by water and debris and cut off from emergency services. "

"He said a blowout occurs when the water forces open the seals on a mine. He said he had heard the mine was last being used as a sludge storage area, though he didn’t have further details immediately available. "

This will be another terrible environmental disaster thanks to the coal mining industry. The coal industry leaves nothing behind but environmental destruction, poverty and death.