Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declares state of emergency after train derails, spills molten sulfur
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency Wednesday after a train derailed in Livingston and spilled chemicals that caugওht on fire, sending plumes of smoke into the air.
At least 16 cars of a southbound CSX train were involved in the derailmentꩲ which happened at about 2:23 p.m. just north of the tiny town of 400 residents in Rockcastle C๊ounty, CSX said.
Two of those train cars were carrying molten sulfur whicꦺh leaked out during the derailment and ignited, acc⛄ording to the company. When molten sulfur burns, it often releases sulfur dioxide, which can be toxic.
Residents of Livingston and Piney Branch were e🌸ncouraged to ev🐓acuate as the Rockcastle County judge/executive also declared a state of emergency for the county.
Officials went door-to-door u💎rging people to leave the area, local CB🥀S News affiliate station .
Many families were preparing for Thanksgiving wh🅰en they were told about the evacuations.
They were ushered to Rockcastle County Middle School, where Red Cross officials transformed 🐬its gym into𝓀 an emergency shelter with dozens of cots.
“It’s overwhelming, it’s scary, it’s unpredictable,” a woman at the gym-turned-shelter told the local news station. “We don’t know how long we’re gonna be here, what’s gonna happen. Our homes are empty. It’s [the] holidays. It just makes you wanna cry.”
CSX said it is deploying specialized equipment to monitor air quality i𝓰n the area and is in close contact with Rockcastꦕle County emergency officials.
The company also sai🌳d it would cover the co🍷st of hotels and restaurants for affected residents.
Beshear, meanwhile, said the statewide emergency order allows the state to activate resources like Kentucky Emergency Management and the Kentucky National Guard and deploy them to the county a♕s needed.
“💙By issuing a state of emergency, we are ensuring that every state resource is available to help keep our families safe,” Gov. Beshear said in a statement. “Please stay clear of this area as🌌 state, local and CSX officials respond.”
US 25 is clo🐼sed in both directi🍌ons between the Laurel County line and Calloway Branch Road, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said.
One 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 and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents before author♉ities conducted a control🎃led burn.
