Trail Derailment in town of Bartow/Jefferson County, Georgia
Chlorine Gas - Bartow evacuated
https://www.wrdw.com/content/news/Train-derails-in-Jefferson-County-503980141.html
Sunday, January 6, 2019
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – 1:14
Officials with Norfolk Southern Corporation has issued a statement following the train derailment. Here's what that statement is in full:
"Norfolk Southern can confirm that a train derailed shortly after 8 p.m. near Bartow, Ga. in Jefferson County. Some of the rail cars on the train were carrying chlorine, and chlorine odors and a cloud have been reported in the area. Our first priority is the safety of local residents, responders, and employees. Local officials have ordered an evacuation of residents in the area. Please follow their instructions. We are at the scene working with first responders and environmental contractors. We will provide updates as soon as more information is available.
12:56 a.m.
Officials say if you live within 7 miles of Bartow, you are ordered to evacuate due to the train derailment and subsequent chemical spill.
If you are being evacuated and have nowhere to go, officials have told us you can go to Cross Community Church in Louisville, Ga.(5165 Middle Ground Rd, Louisville, GA 30434) , or Jefferson County Recreation Center (1377 Hwy 17 S. Louisville Georgia 30434).
We will update this with any other locations that are accepting evacuees.
12:02 a.m.
Emergency Management officials confirm to News 12 chlorine has spilled after a train derailed in Bartow, Ga. At this time, officials have not released how much chlorine has spilled.
Norfolk Southern Corporation is investigating. Stay with News 12 on this developing story.
11:10 p.m. The Augusta Fire Department has hazmat units on scene. Fire officials tell us there is some sort of spill. No word on what that is.
10:48 p.m.
The Bartow Fire Rescue Chief tells New 12 an evacuation has been ordered for Bartow after a train has derailed in the area.
Cross Community Church in Louisville is taking evacuees who have nowhere to go. Details on the evacuation are limited at this time
10:22 p.m.
Officials say no injuries have been reported in the train derailment. As a precaution, the train crew has been transported to the Jefferson County Emergency Room to evaluated.
Right now, they're not sure how many cars have derailed.
9:08 p.m.
Officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office confirms they're on the scene of a train derailment near Bartow, Ga., about ten minutes from Louisville, Ga.
The location of the derailment is reportedly just off of Friendship Church Road and Newman Smith Road.
They said the fire department has been called to the scene as well.
Stay with News 12 on this developing story. We have a crew on the way to the scene.