CUMBERLAND COUNTY (WVLT) -- The threat of a chemical leak and heavy rain prompted the mandatory evacuations of around 150 Cumberland County homes and businesses over the weekend. Emergency workers said precaution had to be taken because the chemicals inside a partially overturned tanker turn to Hydrochloric Acid when mixed with water.

Officials said a rain storm caused a car to lose control around 3:30 PM on Saturday, which ended up colliding with other cars and the tractor trailer hauling the chemical. It happened in the westbound lanes of I-40 near Crab Orchard at mile marker 331. Clean up would not be complete for more than 24 hours later.

"It took so long because of the dangers with the chemical,” said Cumberland County Fire Chief Jeff Dodson. “We're dealing with a deadly chemical."

On Sunday morning, a backup tanker arrived from New Jersey to transport the 3,200 gallons of Titanium Tetrachloride to a safe location, but the pumping didn’t start until that evening due to an undisclosed technical problem.

The mandatory evacuation of all homes and businesses within a two mile radius of the crash scene was not lifted until late Sunday night, which meant evacuees spent a little more than 24 hours wondering when they could go home.

Crossville’s Church of Latter-day Saints became a home on Sunday for Darrell McQueen and his three dogs. His real home was among the nearly 160 businesses and residences that were evacuated around 10:00 PM on Saturday.

“I didn’t think it was real, but I wasn’t really scared or concerned,” he said about the reverse 911 call that told him he would have to leave.

The Cumberland County Emergency Management agency said less than 30 people checked into Red Cross shelters set-up at two nearby churches.

“It’s not easy, in fact it’s touch,” said McQueen. “We stayed at the Wal-Mart parking lot last night because I couldn't find the church."

Emergency workers described the chemical that prompted the evacuation as flammable, toxic and corrosive. A breach in the tanker during the wreck was what caused the most concern and prompted the evacuation.

“It leaked nitrogen gas, which surrounds the chemical inside the truck to keep it cool,” said Dodson. “We started with no deaths from the accident and that's the way we wanted it to stay."

Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency remained on seen to monitor air quality during the cleanup because some of the Titanium Tetrachloride also managed to leak out in the form of vapor.

The threat of rain raised even more concern for HAZMAT crews due to the fact that when the chemical mixes with water, it can produce deadly clouds of Hydrochloric Acid.

"The wreck wasn't that far from a ditch and it was on a steep slope that could have contaminated the streams," Dodson said.

Also as a precaution, the Tennessee Department of Transportation closed more than 80 miles of Interstate 40 and five miles of Highway 70 between Ozone and Crab Orchard.

"I'm sure it's causing delays for travelers,” he said, “we apologize for that"

Crews brought in a specialized tanker truck from New Jersey to get the job done. They then spent the day setting up and attaching specialized pipes and hoses to complete what Dodson called a “dangerous” off-loading process.

During that time, McQueen spent the day in his SUV because his three canine friends were not allowed in the Red Cross shelter.

"I’ll tell you what, it makes you appreciate an old mattress,” he said.

Evacuees were finally allowed back home around 10:00 PM on Sunday.

The EPA took air samples all day and did not find any problems.