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Flash floods cause major freight train derailment in Mississippi

ByTeo Blašković
flash-floods-cause-major-freight-train-derailment-in-mississippi

Image credit: CBS, LSM (stillshot)

Heavy overnight rains and floods caused a major freight train derailment in Hillsdale, southwest Mississippi on May 11, 2019. There are no injuries but chemicals are reportedly leaking in the water.

The derailment occurred just north of Hillsdale Road, Pearl River County Sherriff's Office said.

Hillsdale Road at the train tracks is closed due to flooding and a derailment 0.8 km (0.5 miles) north of Hillsdale Road, the office said.

The following roads and areas are flooded. If you don’t live in these areas please avoid them.

Glover Rd 
Sam Smith Rd
Whitesand Rd
Beach Rd
Oak Hill Rd
County Farm Road
Bob Pittman Rd
Hwy 26 / Gator Creek
Hwy 11 / H Burge Rd 
Floyd Ladner / Red Creek
Homer Ladner Rd

"If you live in these areas use caution and use alternate routes if possible. The bridges on these roads are flooded and some of the roads are washing out also. We have responded to multiple calls for service this morning. Fire Departments and MDWFP are also out assisting those that need help," the sheriff's office said.

More than 20 cars derailed and chemicals are reportedly leaking into the water. However, officials do not believe this is a hazardous materials situation.

Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.

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