UPDATE:
Entire City of Casselton, ND., Being Evacuated
30
December
The
Cass County Sheriff's Office is strongly recommending an evacuation
of the entire City of Casselton and anyone residing five miles to the
south and east of Casselton, effective immediately.
Information
from the National Weather Service indicates a shift in the weather
resulting in a high pressure system that will push the plume of smoke
down increasing the risk of potential health hazards.
Those
in the areas south and east of Casselton are also encouraged to
consider evacuating, specifically Durbin Township and Everest
Township east of ND State Highway 18.
Those
evacuated should go to a safe location until further notice. If
evacuees need a place to go, the Red Cross and Salvation Army have
organized a shelter at Discovery Middle School, 1717 40th Ave S, in
Fargo.
If
children are located by emergency responders they will be brought to
Central Cass High School for reunification with a guardian.
If
transportation is needed from your home, contact the Cass County
Tactical Operations Center at (701) 297-6000.
This
evacuation is precautionary and in anticipation of potential changes
in wind direction. Those within the evacuation zone are not currently
in immediate danger but the potential exists if the wind changes
direction.
Cass
County Sheriff's Deputies and Casselton Fire Fighters will be going
door to door in the evacuation zone to inform and assist those who
reside in that area.
The
shelter at Discovery Middle School will be opened by 6:30 p.m. Monday
night. Anyone coming to the shelter should enter through west
gymnasium doors.
The
Red Cross is preparing to take in 100 people at the shelter, but have
the capacity to hold up to 500. The shelter will be equipped with
cots, food, and other necessary items for families displaced.
A
Red Cross disaster mental health professional is also being deployed
to the shelter to provide emotional support.
UPDATED
4:30 P.M.
From
the Cass County Sheriff's Office: A 104 car BNSF Train collided with
another train while traveling eastbound approximately one mile west
of Casselton, ND. How the collision occurred is unknown at this time.
The
east bound train was carrying crude oil. Approximately 10 cars are
fully engulfed resulting in heavy smoke in the area. Casselton Fire
and the Fargo HazMat Team are currently battling the fire.
This
is a HazMat incident. All people and animals within a 10 mile radius
of Casselton, ND should find shelter and avoid going outside until
the incident and area are deemed safe.
ORIGINAL
STORY
BREAKING
NEWS: A train is derailed west of Casselton, North Dakota. It
happened at 35th Street and 154th Avenue Southeast just before 2:20
p.m. Monday.
No
injuries have been reported so far. Several area emergency teams are
on scene and are setting up an incident command center. The Cass
County Sheriff's Office says a train went off the tracks and a second
train hit it.
Several
train cars are on fire and huge plumes of toxic, black smoke can be
seen for miles. Several explosions have also been reported. Emergency
crews are urging people to stay inside and a code red alert has been
sent out to residents in a two mile radius of the accident.
The
Casselton Fire Department says a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train
is involved. An unknown number of cars derailed, but we're told the
train that is derailed was pulling more than 100 cars, some carrying
oil.
The
wind is from the northwest, which means the smoke may miss Casselton
but people living to the southeast of town are being told to stay
inside. The Casselton Fire Department says there is some concern
that the derailment is near an ethanol plant.
A
Valley News Live Crew is on scene. We will bring you more pictures
and more information as soon as we get it.
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