DOYLINE, La., (KNOE 8 News) - The residents of Doyline, just South of the interstate near Camp Minden, are preparing to move out.
Officials have warned the people of Doyline that they need to evacuate their town for the weekend, while millions of pounds of explosives are removed from Camp Minden.
Camp Minden is where an explosion occurred in October of this year, rocking the entire area.
During a meeting led by Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton, the thousand or so residents were urged to evacuate the city starting tonight through the weekend.
The evacuation notice comes just days after Louisiana State Police found a million pounds of improperly stored M6 propellant powder on the property leased by Explo Systems, Inc., located at Camp Minden.
Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton told the residents of the small town, "Ya'll are the closest thing to this unsecure product, that is why we are advising ya'll and you need to leave."
Hazmat crews will work over the weekend to secure the hazardous product in bunkers located on the property at Camp Minden.
If residents choose not to evacuate, they will be allowed back and forth across city lines but will be asked to show I.D. at check points. Also, all residents will be asked not to drive or walk within the city limits after dark.
Officials say at this point there's no way for residents to be reimbursed for any expenses related to the evacuation unless they choose to take legal action against Explo Systems, Inc.
"There's a million pounds of stuff right here," says long time Doyline resident Roger Walker. "If it went off now it would get us all right…would you want to stay here tonight?"
A shelter is being set up at the Billy Pomeroy Caney Conference Center of the United Methodist Church located on Methodist Camp Rd.
For more information contact the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office at 318-377-1515.
Camp Minden Oct. blast site
