The train that derailed in West Virginia at approximately 1:20 p.m. on Monday most likely traveled through northern Indiana, and possibly even Kosciusko County. The train, which was carrying crude oil, was reportedly still burning as of Tuesday night, with oil pouring from the wreckage.
Members of the affected community in West Virginia have been provided with large amounts of bottled water to drink due to concern over the oil seeping into the area’s water supply, the Kanawha River. Twenty-six of the train’s reported 109 tanker cars were derailed, with 19 of the derailed cars contributing to the fire that followed. Individuals in the area reported that the derailing made loud booming noises comparable to explosions.
Ed Rock, the head of Kosciusko County Emergency Management, explained that most of the trains are carrying crude oil mostly comes from the western half of the country. He explained that the increase in production of this oil has led to increased traffic along the railways, particularly on the east-west line here in Warsaw, and stated “Crude oil has been transported for quite some time, it is the stuff pumped out of the shale out west, the amount of it has been boosted here recently.”
According to Rock, should such an event that has occurred in West Virginia take place in Kosciusko County, it would fall under the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Members of Rock’s staff are trained for a variety of emergencies and know how react accordingly in the event of a serious occurrence.
When asked if the train in West Virginia passed through Kosciusko County, Rock responded, “There is a good chance it passed through Kosciusko County, or at least northern Indiana. Quite a bit gets transported through here.”
For more information on Kosciusko County Emergency Management, please visit kcgov.com.