VX Destruction
  - Megan Jennings  
  5/4/2005 6:26:11 PM  
 

The Army stands ready to destroy the country's most deadly chemical weapon. In just hours, the Army begins destroying deadly VX Nerve Agent stored at the Newport Chemical Depot. The Army says destruction is safe, but if something goes wrong will you be ready?

Children at Ernie Pyle Elementary in Vermillion County play happily at recess, but just miles from the elementary the army stores the world's most deadly chemical weapons. Principal Ronda Foster says schools are prepared for VX destruction. "We are not panicked. It's just another normal day, and if something were to happen we know exactly what we're going to do."

But if something goes wrong will you be ready? Kathleen Graham says, "I'm not really sure what I would do. I have a house with a basement. I suppose I might go there."

And Larina Coleman says, "Nerve agents, they travel far too, so I don't know. We don't have a bomb shelter or anything to go under."

Experts say there are things every person in the Wabash Valley should do on Thursday. They say you should have a weather radio in your home on, to hear any warnings. And, flip your television on, so you can see warnings to keep you and your family safe.

If something should happen, don't go outside. Dick Setliff with Vigo County Emergency Management says, "Seal off all windows, the air handling units, the air conditioning. Seal off any cracks underneath the doors."

And if your children are at school, don't try to get them. Ronda Foster says, "The children and adults will be secure in the building and if the would come here to the school, they'd be jeopardizing their life as well as the other students."

Advice to keep you and your family safe in case the worst happens.

The Army says VX destruction will be perfectly safe. They've practiced the procedure carefully and will start the process slowly. Destruction begins tomorrow.