WILLISTON, N.D. — A more efficient system must be established to alert residents of danger in North Dakota’s booming oil patch, an emergency manager and residents said, after authorities failed to alert the public for more than six hours when a facility storing toxic chemicals exploded.
A fire burns at Red River Supply in an industrial part of Williston, N.D., early Tuesday morning. The site is near three oil companies and a rail line, just east of Williston's downtown. Explosions could be seen and heard at the scene. (AP Photo/Josh Wood)
Debris is scattered Tuesday morning after a tornado in Watford City, N.D. Authorities say at least eight trailers were destroyed Monday evening when the twister tore through a camp where oil field workers stay. (AP Photo/Josh Wood)
In this March 27, 2014 photo an oil derrickand the flames of gas fires decorate an indoor water park at a new recreation center in oil-rich Williston, North Dakota. The city hopes the center will help draw families to North Dakota's oil patch. (AP Photo/Josh Wood)