Kentucky Residents Urged to Evacuate After Train Derailment
Authorities are encouraging people in central Kentucky to evacuate after a train derailment caused a hazardous situation with molten sulfur and a fire.
Evacuation Urged After Train Derails
Residents in central Kentucky are being urged to evacuate after a freight train derailed, resulting in a hazardous situation. More than a dozen train cars derailed, including two that were carrying molten sulfur, which caught fire. The fire is currently 50% contained as of Thursday morning. The city of Livingston, located approximately 60 miles south of Lexington, is directly affected by the incident.
The train's operator, CSX, reported that the molten sulfur cars have breached and lost some of their contents, which are currently on fire. Molten sulfur, when burned, releases sulfur dioxide, a colorless gas that can cause irritation to the respiratory system. Local officials have requested specialized equipment to conduct air monitoring in the area to assess the levels of sulfur dioxide present in the environment.
Evacuated Residents Not Yet Allowed to Return Home
Response efforts for the train derailment are ongoing, and local officials are encouraging residents of Livingston to evacuate. As of Thursday morning, 50% of the fire has been contained. However, evacuated residents are still not permitted to return home. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed concern for the displaced families and asked for prayers and support.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is monitoring the sulfur dioxide levels in the county affected by the incident. Short-term exposure to sulfur dioxide can be harmful to the respiratory system, particularly for individuals with conditions such as asthma. The EPA aims to reduce the sulfur dioxide levels to zero as the firefighting efforts continue.
CSX Providing Assistance to Displaced Families
CSX, the train's operator, has announced that they will be providing support to the families displaced by the incident. This includes food, shelter, and a Thanksgiving dinner for those affected. In the meantime, local officials are working with CSX to secure the scene and develop a recovery plan.
Residents in the proximity of the incident who are concerned about their safety have been advised to utilize lodging secured by CSX in Mt. Vernon, KY. The company is also coordinating with local restaurants to provide meals for the affected residents. The state of Kentucky has declared a state of emergency, activating the state's Emergency Operations Center to ensure the availability of resources for the response.
