Scenario 8

Chemical Attack –

Chlorine Tank Explosion

Casualties	17,500 fatalities; 10,000 severe injuries; 100,000 hospitalizations
Infrastructure Damage	In immediate explosions areas and metal corrosion in areas of heavy exposure
Evacuations/Displaced Persons	100,000 instructed to temporarily shelter in place as plume moves across region 50,000 evacuated to shelters in safe areas 500,000 self-evacuate out of region
Contamination	Primarily at explosion site and if waterways are impacted
Economic Impact	Millions of dollars
Potential for Multiple Events	Yes
Recovery Timeline	Weeks

Scenario General Description

Chlorine gas is poisonous and can be pressurized and cooled to change into a liquid form so that it can be shipped and stored. When released, it quickly turns into a gas and stays close to the ground and spreads rapidly. Chlorine gas is yellow-green in color and although not flammable alone, it can react explosively or form explosive compounds with other chemicals such as turpentine or ammonia.

In this scenario, the Universal Adversary (UA) – represented by the Texas Independence Movement (TIM), a white supremacy organization – infiltrates an industrial facility that stores a large quantity of chlorine gas (liquefied under pressure). Using a homemade high explosive, UA ruptures a storage tank manway, releasing a large quantity of chlorine gas downwind of the site. Secondary devices are set to impact first responders.