UPDATE as of 5:00 pm ET

A chemical spill at the Ames Goldsmith Catalyst Refiners in Institute prompted officials to issue a shelter-in-place order earlier today, April 22, 2026. 

All shelter-in-place orders have been lifted. While the shelter in place has been lifted, officials for WV State University said classes for the remainder of the day have been canceled. At 4:42PM Metro911 reported that RT 25 is now open in the Institute area. 

WV Public Broadcasting reported: 

“This remains an active and developing situation. The public is encouraged to rely on official sources for information and not on rumor, speculation, or third-party reports. Updates will be provided through the Kanawha County Emergency Management Facebook page, and Metro 911 Facebook page.” 

Additional Resources

Metro 911:

Live Calls – Metro 911 of Kanawha County

Kanawha Putnam Emergency Planning Committee Shelter in Place Resources:

Shelter In Place | Kanawha Putnam Emergency Planning Commission

CDC Chemical Emergency Resources:

About Chemical Emergencies | Chemical Emergencies | CDC

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services

Facebook Resource Page

Local News Covering the Event:

WOWK 13 News, Charleston-Huntington

WSAZ, NewsChannel 3, Huntington/Charleston

WCHS Channel 8, Charleston News

West Virginia Public Broadcasting

wvgazettemail.com | WV Gazette Mail