MAURICEVILLE, TEXAS — Residents of an Orange County neighborhood were warned to stay indoors Sunday after a semi-truck hauling an estimated 2 million bees overturned near the intersection of Colony Drive and FM 1130 in the Mauriceville area, releasing a massive swarm into the surrounding streets.

The 18-wheeler was carrying 50,000 pounds of bees when it overturned while making a turn. The driver was not injured, but the area was quickly swarming with escaped bees. Orange County Emergency Services District 4 and the Orange County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene and urged residents in the Colony Lane and Colony Drive area to remain indoors while crews worked to contain the situation.

^{Queen Bee Supply LLC}

The Recovery

Local beekeepers were summoned to the scene to round up the bees and safely transfer them to transport trucks headed to a local honey farm. Queen Bee Supply, one of the operations that responded, posted photos from the scene. "Not something you ever want to see, but so nice to see beekeepers helping beekeepers. From commercial outfits to backyard beekeepers — grateful for everyone that came out and helped," the company said.

In an update, Orange County ESD4 said the overturned trailer was approximately 75% unloaded, with crews continuing to safely transfer hives onto transport trucks. Colony Lane and Colony Drive at the rear of the neighborhood remained closed to traffic while operations continued.

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