Flooding in Texas caused a Union Pacific freight train hauling gravel to derail early Saturday morning in Navarro County near Corsicana, about 55 miles south of Dallas, on Saturday morning. The floods, which are indirectly related to once-powerful Hurricane Patricia in Mexico, are forecast to worsen during the day on Saturday, when another foot of rain may fall across southeastern Texas.
The Corsicana area received 18.85 inches of rain on Friday and Saturday so far, after being in an intensifying drought, which has caused dried up streams to suddenly turn into raging rivers.
The derailment occurred in the pre-dawn hours on Saturday, when swift-water rescue teams were dispatched to save two Union Pacific workers from the partially submerged train, according to the Navarro County emergency management office. The rescue was successful, according to Jeff DeGraff, a railroad spokesman for Union Pacific.
In a statement to Mashable, DeGraff said:
Union Pacific is pleased to report that the two crew members involved in this morning's derailment in Corsicana, Tx., are safe and uninjured. At approximately 3:30 a.m., the southbound train ran into a high water area where a flash flood had washed out the track. The crew members were able to evacuate the locomotive and swim to higher ground where they awaited pick up from the Navarro County water rescue team.
The train was 64 cars in length, carrying cement. 46 cars have been confirmed derailed. We have brought an additional locomotive down to pull the remaining upright cars northward to clear them from the area. We are awaiting a break in the rain and for the flood waters to recede in order to bring in the equipment necessary to address the derailed cars and locomotives. We have our environmental team on hand to monitor for any issues that may impact the water ways or surrounding area.
Mashable has also reached out to the Navarro County OEM for comment.
Swift water teams preparing to launch to rescue 2 UP team members from partially submerged train on NW 0020. #dfwwx pic.twitter.com/jT2zDZIVQV— Navarro County OEM (@NavarroOEM) October 24, 2015
Concerns about fuel leaking from derailed train in Navarro County. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/qOl1DYkkGX— Shelly Slater (@wfaashelly) October 24, 2015
Freight train derails in Navarro Co. floodwaters WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/lqzz5eSN3O pic.twitter.com/WU83mHaJKg— WFAA-TV (@wfaachannel8) October 24, 2015
#SanAntonio has broken their daily rainfall record of 3.53" in 2004. They are at 3.54" at SAT an counting...— NWS San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) October 24, 2015
Train derailment near #Corsicana #TX last night attributed to #flooding #rain destabilizing the tracks. pic.twitter.com/FGv0am3e5y— Jay Dobensky (@StormTrooperJay) October 24, 2015
The rain that pummeled mainly inland areas of Texas from San Antonio to Dallas on Friday is sliding east, and is expected to lead to a deluge in Houston and Galveston, where a foot of rain or more is expected on Saturday.
VIDEO - Chopper 11 Flyby Of Flooding in Navaro County WATCH https://t.co/abHLRRvHSA IMAGE: pic.twitter.com/zUfx3HiOw5— KRLD (@KRLD) October 24, 2015
GALLERY: Navaro Co. Flooding; Crews inspecting railroad tracks https://t.co/3KNK2F1htQ pic.twitter.com/A1s52c2R5H— KRLD (@KRLD) October 24, 2015