Rockdale BOC declares State of Emergency in wake of BioLab explosion: Now what?

ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA—After more than a week of text alerts, mandatory evacuations and shelter-in-place orders, the Rockdale Board of Commissioners unanimously ratified a resolution on Tuesday, Oct. 8, declaring a State of Emergency due to the Sept. 29 BioLab chemical fire.

Board Chairman Oz Nesbitt said at Tuesday’s meeting that after speaking with Gov. Brian Kemp, he and the board agreed to move forward in seeking state and federal assistance for Rockdale residents and businesses impacted by the BioLab explosion. In addition to Nesbitt, the Rockdale Board of Commissioners is comprised of Commissioners Sherri Washington (Post 1) and Doreen Williams(Post 2), who voted 3-0 for the State of Emergency.

BioLab, located at 1700 Old Covington Highway S.W., manufactures pool and spa treatment products. No company representatives attended the Board of Commissioners meeting and apparently, no one from BioLab has responded to inquiries from Nesbitt or the Board of Commissioners, according to a comment Nesbitt made during the meeting.

“Rockdale County demands answers. We need to hear from BioLab,” Nesbitt said at one point during the nearly three-hour Board of Commissioners’ meeting, which started at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.

Since the fire, wind shifts have sent plumes of chemicals into the air as management teams, comprised of local, state, and federal agencies, have worked the BioLab cleanup. Many residents have complained of eye irritation, tightness in their chests, headaches, and other ailments from gas and chlorine that filled the air, while others have complained that shelter-in-place orders and mandatory shutdowns have negatively impacted their businesses.

The Board of Commissioners got an earful from residents and business owners during Tuesday’s meeting. One man who spoke said he hasn’t been allowed to return to his auto repair business since the BioLab fire explosion.  Road closures have been enforced near the BioLab site by Rockdale Sheriff’s deputies who have been parked there to keep traffic and people out. The man said his business is located close to the BioLab site.

Nesbitt allowed every person who signed up to speak during public comments come before the board. At times, Nesbitt expressed his own frustration as citizens shared the impact the BioLab fire has had on them.

“Rockdale County demands answers. We need to hear from BioLab,” Nesbitt told constituents at the meeting. “I’ve had enough, and enough is enough.”

Nesbitt assured residents and business people that help is on the way.

“Five days ago, I signed the document declaring Rockdale County a State of Emergency. I’ve already talked with Gov. Kemp,” Nesbitt told the crowd at the Board of Commissioners meeting.

The board’s move to declare a State of Emergency, however, has raised even more questions among Rockdale residents, and county leaders:

Why did the board wait five days to tell residents they had filed documents to declare a State of Emergency, even though Rockdale government officials had sent out several press releases and held at least two press conferences to provide updates to the community and never mentioned it?

When will the state and federal assistance come?

Who will determine who will receive assistance?

What exactly is the assistance?

Who will administer the funding?

Are people in neighboring counties–Gwinnett DeKalb, and Newton—eligible for help?

What number should people call or email to be included for state/federal assistance?

Gov. Brian Kemp issued the following statement:

“The BioLab site response is being managed by a unified command, led by Rockdale County EMA and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All appropriate and available state agency resources have already been dedicated to support the emergency response and unified command process, including contributions from the Environmental Protection Division, Department of Public Health, and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.”

Despite messages left today with several state lawmakers close to the issue, On Common Ground News could not reach any who were able to discuss specifics about the state aid.

Members of the House and Senate Rockdale County Legislative Delegations, House Minority Caucus, and the DeKalb County Legislative Delegation had held a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m.—the same time as the Rockdale Board of Commissioners meeting.

State Rep. Rhonda Taylor (D-Conyers), chair of the Rockdale County House Legislative Delegation, said lawmakers wanted to hear from people impacted by the BioLab explosion.

“This is a terrifying time for the citizens of Rockdale County, and because we know the impact is now regional, we must focus on the impact of the chemicals as it pertains to the environment and health of citizens,” Taylor stated in a news release. “We want to hear from anyone along the east corridor about how this incident has affected their lives and how we may be able to help.”

Meanwhile, the City of Conyers officials have remained quiet. There have been no press releases, press conferences, or text alerts to residents within the city limits from the city concerning BioLab.

“No one is saying anything. It’s just been so confusing.  I would like to know what our residents need. Who should they call?” said City Council member Alsobrook.

On Monday, Oct. 7, Rockdale officials lifted its shelter-in-place order for all of Rockdale, except for those within a two-mile radius of BioLab.

Alerts were sent out this evening(Oct. 9) reminding residents and businesses within the 2-mile radius to shelter in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Rockdale public schools will remain closed with students continuing virtual classes through Oct. 18, as cleanup work continues at the BioLab site, Rockdale Superintendent Terry Oatts announced. Oatts stated that since half of Rockdale public schools are located near the BioLab site, it would be safer for all students to remain at home. The Rockdale County School District is comprised of 18 schools and 15,601 students.

Rockdale officials have stated they do not have a timeframe when the cleanup will be completed.

To view the Oct. 8 Rockdale Board of Commissioners meeting where several citizens spoke about the impact of the Sept. 29 BioLab, and the board passed its resolution declaring a State of Emergency, click the video link: https://www.facebook.com/RockdaleGov/videos/1180917579653177

Pictured top, L-R: Post 1 Rockdale Commissioner Sherri Washington, BOC Chairman Oz Nesbitt, Sr., and Post 2 Commissioner Doreen Williams

Screenshot of Resolution 2024-528 concerning State of Emergency regarding BioLab chemical fire, which was  approved by the Rockdale Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. 

A citizen addresses the Rockdale Board of Commissioners during Public Comments at the Oct. 8, 2024 meeting.