At approximately 0800 hours on 1/31/2014, a Canadian National Freight Train derailed in New Augusta, Perry County, MS. On-Scene Coordinators (OSC’s) Francendese, Garrard and Franco are mobilizing to the scene to oversee and direct response actions. The United States Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team (USCG GST) is assisting the EPA. The following information has been gathered by the responding OSC’s from Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality who are currently on-scene. State On-Scene Coordinators (SOSC) are reporting that up to 19 railcars have derailed and up to 50,000 gallons of crude oil has been discharged. There is a potential for up to 300,000 gallons of crude oil to be involved in the derailment. There are also reports that railcars containing methanol have released in a separate area from the crude oil. The release is a threat to the Leaf River. Local Emergency Response have implemented a ½ mile evacuation zone. The Red Cross has opened an evacuation shelter. Emergency responders are taking defensive measures to limit the impact of the spill while additional resources are mobilized. For more information, contact OSC Francendese at 404-606-2223.
