A Union Pacific freight train derailed early Sunday morning in Alton (all-ton) Iowa. The derailment occurred as a railroad bridge crossing the Floyd River collapsed, sending rail cars into the flooded waters on the north side of town. The call came in from a Union Pacific conductor at about 4 a.m.
Alton Fire Chief Quentin Van Es says authorities soon learned there were no hazardous materials in the derailed cars.
Union Pacific crews were on the scene Sunday, assessing the damage, evaluating what could be salvaged and how much clean-up was required. Van Es says Union Pacific crew indicated it could take up to two weeks to clean up the site. As heavy construction equipment arrives and moves around, Van Es says a number of streets in Alton will be barricaded.
No injuries were reported in the accident and evacuations were not necessary. The total number of rail cars is still unknown, as is the number of derailed cars. This is the second train derailment in northwest Iowa this year. Both derailments occurred during flood conditions.
