All residents within 2.4 km of a chemical plant in southeast Texas are being evacuated as a "precautionary measure" because of the rising risk of an explosion.
Earlier on Tuesday, the owner of the plant, Arkema SA , said the situation at its Crosby, Texas, plant "has become serious" and evacuated all of its staff from the facility.
The plant has been hit by more than 100cm of rain by Hurricane Harvey and has been without electric service since Sunday.
Back-up generators have largely been inundated with water, the company added.
Crosby is about 40km northeast of Houston.
"As a protective measure Harris County has evacuated all residents within 1.5 miles of the Arkema facility," said a Twitter message from the Harris County Fire Marshal Office.
"There is a potential for a chemical reaction leading to a fire at the facility, which could produce a large amount of black smoke."
The company said some refrigeration of back-up containers has been compromised because of high-water levels and the company is monitoring temperature levels remotely.
"While we do not believe there is any imminent danger, the potential for a chemical reaction leading to a fire and/or explosion within the site confines is real," the company said.
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