Train derailment, acid leak forces La. evacuation

Faust did not speculate on how long the cleanup might take but said residents wouldn't be allowed back into the area until officials were certain the hazardous material was gone.

"We want to make sure that they're not returning home prematurely," Faust said. "We want to make sure the entire area is clean."

The Red Cross has set up a shelter at a high school and was gearing up to handle as many as 500 people if possible, shelter manager Jacqui Picard said.

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Associated Press writer Michael Kunzelman contributed to this report.