Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Wednesday after a train derailed in Livingston and spilled chemicals that caught fire, sending plumes of smoke into the air.
At least 16 cars of a southbound CSX train were involved in the derailment that occurred about 2:23 p.m. just north of the small town of 400 residents in Rockcastle County, CSX said.
According to the company, two of those cars were carrying molten sulfur that leaked during the derailment and caught fire. When molten sulfur burns, it often releases sulfur dioxide, which can be toxic.
Livingston and Piney Branch residents were encouraged to evacuate as the Rockcastle County Judge/Executive also declared a state of emergency for the county.
Officials went door-to-door urging people to leave the area, local CBS News affiliate station WKYT reported.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency over a train derailment and chemical spill. WKYT
Many families were preparing for Thanksgiving when they were told about the evacuations.
They were taken to Rockcastle County High School, where Red Cross officials transformed its gym into an emergency shelter with dozens of cots.
“It’s overwhelming, it’s scary, it’s unpredictable,” one woman at the gym-turned-shelter told the local news station. “We don’t know how long we will be here, what is going to happen. Our houses are empty. Is [the] vacation. “It just makes you want to cry.”
Police are seen at the scene where a train derailed in Livingston and spilled chemicals that caught fire. WKYT
CSX said it is deploying specialized equipment to monitor air quality in the area and is in close contact with Rockcastle County emergency officials.
The company also said it would cover the cost of hotels and restaurants for affected residents.
Meanwhile, Beshear said the state emergency order allows him to activate resources like Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky National Guard and deploy them to the county as needed.
Area residents were encouraged to evacuate as a Rockcastle County judge/executive also declared a state of emergency for the county. lex18
“By issuing a state of emergency, we ensure that all state resources are available to help keep our families safe,” Gov. Beshear said in a statement. “Please stay away from this area as state, local and CSX officials respond.”
US 25 is closed in both directions between the Laurel County line and Calloway Branch Road, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said.
A CSX crew member was treated at the scene of the derailment for minor injuries, according to WKYT.
Last winter, a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents before authorities conducted a controlled burn.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn