Alvord, Iowa — After torrential downpours in northwest Iowa over the last 24 hours, flooding is causing many issues. Some roads have been closed, some northwest Iowans had to be evacuated from their homes, and KIWA has now received word of a train derailment near Alvord.
While we don’t have many details at this time, Lyon County Emergency Management Director Arden Kopishke tells us the BNSF train was carrying dry fertilizer and in the pictures that he sent KIWA, some of the rail hopper cars can be seen overturned in the water.
Kopishke tells us that two roads are closed in the area. Elmwood Avenue, or K30 and gravel road 220th Street, a mile south of Alvord are closed at this time.
The official statement from the railroad reads, “BNSF can confirm at approximately 03:30 a.m. CST Friday, June 21, a train derailed in Alvord, Iowa, affecting the main track. There are no injuries and no threat to the public. BNSF personnel are on site working to clear the incident as quickly and safely as possible. The cause is under investigation.“
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says there were no hazardous materials involved and nine cars derailed.
