A propane leak near downtown Madisonville shut down a key Northshore corridor Thursday, pulling fire and HazMat crews to the riverfront and tying up traffic around the heart of town. Deputies said a roughly 150-gallon tank at Empa-Taco began leaking, prompting officers to block the intersection where Highway 21 becomes Main Street while crews worked to secure the scene. Nearby businesses and drivers were urged to stay away from the area as responders moved in to contain the hazard.
According to WGNO, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office reported that Highway 22 was closed from the Tchefuncte River bridge to Main Street and that Highway 21 was also blocked where it turns into Main Street. The outlet noted that crews were working to secure the roughly 150-gallon propane tank at Empa-Taco and advised drivers to use alternate routes. Officials requested that people avoid the area while HazMat teams addressed the leak.
HazMat Response And Safety Advice
Local crews followed standard hazardous-materials protocols for propane incidents, which focus on clearing people out, keeping the leak isolated and making sure no one introduces an ignition source. The Propane Education & Research Council recommends that anyone who smells gas call their propane retailer, 911 or the fire department and then move to a safe, up-wind spot. NOAA's CAMEO/ERG guidance advises isolating a propane spill or leak area for at least 100 meters, or about 330 feet, and expanding evacuations if a fire is involved.
Tchefuncte Drawbridge Adds Traffic Headaches
The closure hit a stretch of LA-22 that includes the Tchefuncte River drawbridge, a notorious pinch point for Northshore drivers. Local reporting has noted that the drawspan has triggered temporary shutdowns before, a reminder of how quickly an incident in this block can ripple through commute routes. FOX 8 covered a similar drawbridge shutdown in 2025.
Crews remained on scene while deputies handled traffic control and coordinated the response. Residents were urged to keep an eye on the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and local news outlets for the latest word on road reopenings and any additional safety advisories.
