A shelter-in-place order has been lifted and things are returning to normal after an active anhydrous ammonia (ammonia gas) chemical leak occurred early this morning at a 99 Cents Only store distribution center in the 23600 block of Colonial Parkway near Highway 99.

The order was issued Sunday morning and lifted by 1 p.m.

Harris County Public Health said it is working with its response partners at the local, state and federal levels to monitor events related to the chemical leak. No injuries were reported.

For area residents and out of an abundance of caution, the boundary for the shelter in place was a two-square-mile area as follows:

• Southern boundary: Kingsland Boulevard near Highway 99 and S. Mason Road.
• Eastern boundary: Mason Road (north and south portions) from Kingsland Boulevard north to Mason Creek.
• Northern boundary: Mason Creek between Highway 99 and N. Mason Road.
• Western boundary: Highway 99 between Kingsland Boulevard and Mason Creek with a small section to the northwest of the I 10 and 99 intersection between Colonial Parkway and Mercantile Parkway. The extension goes west to 23623 Colonial Pkwy. This area does not include Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define shelter in place as follows:

• Get inside. Bring your loved ones, your emergency supplies, and when possible, your pets.
• Find a safe spot in this location.
• Stay put in this location until officials say that it is safe to leave.

Harris County Public Health said it will provide an update after the shelter-in-place order has been lifted.

Harris County Public Health said it continues to work with its healthcare partners and recommends that anyone who lives in the area and has health concerns should contact their healthcare provider, or if the situation is more serious, call 911.

Those without a healthcare provider can find a local health center through the website findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov, or you can call the Harris health systems ask minors help line, open from 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m. daily, to help answer basic questions. The phone number is 713-634-1110.

For complaints resulting from the chemical leak or for general water or solid waste pollution complaints, call the Harris County Pollution Control Services Department at 713-920-2831.