Smoke rose from the still-burning tanks at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland Saturday, and although the thick plumes had eased since the explosion the day before, a strong chemical smell permeated nearby communities in Tangipahoa Parish, an oily sheen coating many of the cars, homes and other outdoor surfaces.

“You got oil on the ground, oil on the road,” said Gerri Stout, 66, who evacuated to Amite City with her husband under a mandatory order for residents within a mile of the automotive lubricant manufacturing plant. “We got oil on our car, and we brought our car with us to the shelter.”

Waiting in line to wash his Chevy Silverado pickup at a car wash near Interstate 55 in Amite City Saturday morning, Ross Cutrer said he's trying not to fixate on the black substance covering everything or w

See Full Page